These methods include family members being buried on top of each other.
“Alternative burial methods are now a recommended method as traditional burial practices are increasingly proving to be unsustainable, especially in areas like Ekurhuleni, where the rate of migration is high,” says EMM spokesperson Sam Modiba.
“The metro is, thus, encouraging residents to adopt and consider alternative burial methods such as cremation, as well as second and third earth internment. A second or third earth internment is when a grave is dug deep enough to allow for two or three burials, hence, families can choose to be buried in one grave,” he adds.
Many cultures and religions do not allow people to be buried using alternative methods, as this goes against certain belief systems.
According to Pastor John Rushton, senior pastor for God’s Way Ministries in Witfield, from a Christian perspective there is nothing prohibiting the burial of family members together.
‘Burying family members together in one grave is no problem at all, as long as it is done properly and in a dignified manner, there is something special when a husband and wife of many years are laid to rest together,” says Rushton.
Yusuf Patela, secretary general for the United Ulama Council of South Africa, which provides leadership on behalf of the major theological formations in South Africa, says from Islamic perspective recycling of graves is not a problem.
“This is a very sensitive and emotive issue as there are cultural values and religious beliefs to consider. As long as people’s sentiments are taken into consideration, then we do not oppose this decision,” says Patela.
Municipality is also in discussions with service providers to provide erect, market and administer above ground concepts.
“These concepts will enable us to save in-earth burial space in our operational cemeteries by providing alternatives to people preferring these options,” says Modiba.
Sam explains that the above ground procedures include burial cell systems, which are prefabricated, with sealed and ventilated reinforced fiberglass and galvanised steel chambers in which bodies in coffins are placed as well as mausoleums, which are brick and mortar buildings with sealed and ventilated chambers in which bodies in coffins are placed.
Rushton expresses concern with the security aspect of above-ground procedures, but acknowledges that there is a challenge regarding space in graveyards.
“There is a security concern with a prefabricated mausoleum due to the (perceived) ease of stealing body parts or remains from the deceased, but also with the cost of burying increasing possibly more people could consider the idea of cremation,” he says.
Patela on the other hand, says they do not support any above-ground methods in the Islamic belief.
“A burial must take place in the ground, that is what we believe,” he says.
The metro recommends second and third earth internments as they are cheaper and can be an alternative for cash-strapped residents.
“All these alternatives allow council to fully utilise vacant space in cemeteries, which are considered as full, because there is underlying rock or water conditions prohibiting in-earth burial,” he says.
“These alternatives are also important in that they are environmentally-friendly, unlike finding suitable in-earth burial space, development, which is increasingly subject to and constrained by stringent environmental law.”
Modiba adds that another advantage to these methods is that the increasing burden to ratepayers, caused by maintenance costs will be reduced.
