Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) would like to inform residents, traditional leaders and funeral homes that Westpark Cemetery, a significant part of our community’s burial services since 1956, will reach full capacity in four months.
The cemetery is currently limiting burials to 15 interments per week. This marks an important moment in managing the city’s burial space, and City Parks is addressing it with great care and consideration for the immediate and long-term needs of our residents.
JCPZ understands the deep emotional and cultural significance of burials for the families and communities we serve. We are committed to providing support for families during this difficult time and respecting cultural practices to allow for appropriate and respectful burial options.
As urban populations grow and available cemetery space diminishes, we face significant challenges in maintaining sufficient burial space for future generations.
To address the current scarcity and future demand for burial space, JCPZ is exploring additional CoJ land for new cemetery sites. We are committed to working with the City of Johannesburg and relevant stakeholders to secure land that can help alleviate pressure on our existing cemeteries and cater for future burial needs in the next 4 to 5 decades. Additionally, JCPZ is actively lobbying for policy changes that will allow for the more effective use of burial space and the sustainable management of cemetery resources.
Currently the draft cemetery, parks and nature reserve by laws are going through the public engagement process to be reviewed and we urge every resident to take the time to view the draft bylaws on www. joburg.org.za.
As Westpark Cemetery nears full capacity, JCPZ encourages residents to explore alternative interment options to reduce the strain on our limited burial spaces. We recognise the importance of these decisions and want to ensure that families make informed choices.
- Reopening Graves: Some families have opted to reopen existing graves to inter-loved ones from the same family. This practice preserves valuable burial space and helps mitigate the rising long-term costs of installing additional headstones and maintaining large tracts of dormant cemeteries at huge costs to the ratepayer.
- Cremation: Cremation presents a sustainable and space-saving burial option. This alternative, while not embraced by all faiths, has become increasingly popular and is widely considered a respectful and environmentally conscious choice.
Mausoleums: families may also consider the installation of mausoleums, which are above ground multiple burial chambers to inter more than one family member.
For families still in need of first-time burial spaces, City Parks will be redirecting requests to the three active cemeteries in the city which currently have sufficient capacity for the next 30-40 years. These are:
· Olifantsvlei Cemetery (Located in the far south of Johannesburg)
· Waterval Cemetery (Located in Midrand)
· Diepsloot Cemetery (Located in the northern part of Johannesburg)
Currently, 39 of the 42 cemeteries managed by JCPZ are at full capacity. This reflects a broader challenge facing the city, as dormant burial spaces incur high costs, for general maintenance and safety. JCPZ is committed to ensuring that burial services remain available and we appeal to residents and funeral directors to utilise available cemetery resources efficiently and consider alternative sustainable burial options.
By making thoughtful decisions now, we can help effectively manage Johannesburg’s existing cemeteries and ease the burden on current ratepayers and future generations.
We ask all community members to be mindful of the city’s limited cemetery resources and to approach the difficult task of laying their loved ones to rest with respect and dignity.
For more information or to discuss alternative burial options, please contact the head of Cemeteries and Crematoria, Mr. Azola Manyati, at 073 891 6933 or at the City Parks Head Office on 011 712 6600. We are here to assist and guide you through these decisions.
JCPZ thanks Johannesburg’s residents and funeral homes for their understanding and cooperation during this challenging time. Your support in this effort will help ensure that Johannesburg continues to honour and serve its communities with dignity and respect.
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