Cemetery operations in the City could be affected by the recent rain over the region. The City has now urged funeral planners to prepare for possible burial delays due to saturated ground conditions.

Cemetery Operations in the City could be Affected by Recent Rain

At the same time, the City of Cape Town’s Recreation and Parks Department has issued a public advisory warning that ongoing rainfall expected into the weekend may impact cemetery operations across the metro. The Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham, says with recent and forecasted wet weather, water table levels have been rising.

MORE ABOUT: City cautions on cemetery operations

Cemetery Operations in the City could be Affected by Recent Rain — Photo: City of Cape Town

Winter Contingency Plans Activated

She says this could make grave digging or the reopening of existing graves for second burials difficult. The Department has called on undertakers and families to anticipate possible disruptions or adjustments to burial plans during this period.

The Department has activated its winter readiness measures to mitigate the effects of heavy rainfall on burial grounds. These include:

Servicing and deploying water pumps

Clearing alien vegetation to maximise burial space

Repairing internal cemetery road potholes

Maintaining stormwater drains for improved drainage

Despite these efforts, saturated ground or flooding may still result in limited access to some areas or require graves to be dug shallower than usual. Families may also be asked to consider alternative burial sites where conditions are more favourable.

Appeal to Undertakers and Families

Higham says they’ve asked funeral directors and families to work closely with cemetery staff and to be flexible during this time.

“Expediting burials where possible can help with traffic flow and reduce people’s exposure to muddy or unstable conditions,” she added.

The City continues to monitor the weather and its effects on municipal cemeteries and thanks the public for their patience and understanding.

CEMETERY OPERATIONS DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER:

Cemetery staff might need to prepare shallower graves, depending on water table levels at a particular cemetery. This will limit the opportunity to bury a second coffin in the same private grave.
The City also reserves the right to advise against requests for reopening of a family grave if it is in an area of the cemetery where it is very waterlogged and/or recommend an alternate grave or an alternate cemetery.
Parking, roads, and pathways might be unusually flooded or slippery, and the public is advised to exercise extreme caution.
Wear suitable weatherproof clothing and waterproof non-slip shoes to avoid slipping and puddles.
Arrive timeously at the burial and do not exceed the 30-minute timeslot so as to alleviate parking congestion.
Consider a smaller number of people attending burials, particularly during episodes of inclement weather.
Exercise caution when carrying coffins and avoid standing too close to open graves.
Consider weekday burials to reduce overcrowding in cemeteries on weekends.
Undertakers should exercise caution with gazebos, which are prone to injuring mourners if swept away in the wind.
The City also reminds undertakers to abide by the specifications for gazebos as outlined in the Cemetery by-law, and to refrain from the use of stretch tents and marquees.

Stay Updated

For updates on cemetery conditions and burial arrangements during inclement weather, residents are advised to contact the Recreation and Parks Department or follow the City’s official communication channels.