Cemetery extension brings extra burial space

The extension of the Sir Lowry’s Pass cemetery brings with it added space for new burials, but also gives residents of Sir Lowry’s Pass the peace of mind in knowing that should a loved one pass, they can now be buried close to home.

The extra burial space created in the Sir Lowry’s Pass cemetery is as a result of an extension, a process which started in 2022, and completed last month by the City’s Recreation and Parks Department.

The extension to the cemetery now makes it possible for the public to gain access to 544 additional burial spaces.

According to a City media release, the new section has been open since last month, but for operational purposes, a limit has been put on the number of burials allowed daily. The City says only three burials per day are allowed in the new section.

The City says there are some differences in the new burial section, all in aid of using the space to its maximum benefit. Some of these features include designing the new grave sites as berm graves, where only vertical headstones or scrolls are allowed.

Mayoral committee member for community services and health, Patricia van der Ross said: “The opening of the extension at Sir Lowry’s Pass cemetery is an important step towards addressing the area’s burial space challenges. The City remains committed to finding sustainable solutions by providing dignified and accessible burial options.

“We would like to encourage residents to plan ahead with their undertakers and consider week day burials to reduce possible backlogs on applications for weekend bookings.”

Community leader and founder of the Uyanda Foundation Movement in Sir Lowry’s Pass, Athi Ndwebi who often assists the needy with finances for the burial of their loved ones, welcomes the additional burial space.

He said when family members are buried outside the area, in many cases there are no funds for transport so that families can visit the grave sites for regular cleaning and maintenance.

“It’s a good note to start the year off with because in the past it was really heartbreaking when families had to bury their loved ones outside of Sir Lowry’s Pass at other cemeteries like for instance in Strand or Somerset West.

The burials outside the area, says Mr Ndwebi was also costly. “The foundation helped families with funeral costs and when we assisted the families we were now also confronted with the extra expenses to transport the body outside the area to a nearby cemetery; so this is a huge relief for the community,” he said.

In the past, says Mr Ndwebi, says only family members with existing family graves could access the cemetery for burials and the foundation had to advise families of the departed to go the route of cremation, something many families were not comfortable with.

“First of all I feel that as a person working in the community and also born here and involved with the community, the extension of the cemetery is one of the highlights to start 2025 with in that it now gives us the peace of mind that when a loved one passes, they can now rest here in Sir Lowry’s Pass.”