GEORGE NEWS - George Municipality has awarded burial blocks to local undertakers following recent extensions at its York Street Cemetery.
The 18 000m² new extension provides space for about 7 500 graves which should be sufficient for at least seven years.
George Municipality Acting Director Allen Paulse says the York Street cemetery had been nearing capacity and something had to be done urgently when deaths increased from 64 burials at municipal cemeteries in October 2020, to 94 in November 2020 and 176 in December 2020 - most of which were confirmed Covid-19 related deaths.
"There had been historic uncertainty about the zoning for cemeteries adjacent to the current cemetery, which had subsequently been resolved and allowed us to clear land early in January 2021," says Paulse.
"We are grateful that the necessary groundwork could be done well before capacity became a crisis. The remainder of burial sites on the old site will be the preferred site for Covid-19 burials, and the undertakers can commence with burials on the new site immediately."
Paulse said that in addition to the space cleared, more suitable land is available on the York Street premises if required.
The George municipal area has four operational public cemeteries including York Street, Thembalethu, Touwsranten and Uniondale.
The Thembalethu Cemetery is currently at about 80 percent capacity with about 2 800 burial spaces available and adjacent land available for clearing when required.
Touwsranten Cemetery is at about 20 percent capacity with more than 880 spaces available.
The Uniondale Cemetery is nearing capacity with burial sites for about another three years.
The municipality has identified possible suitable land and is investigating whether it meets the requirements for a new cemetery.
George Mayor Leon van Wyk (middle with formal jacket) and local undertakers at the York Street extension where the awarding of blocks took place last week.
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