Safeguarding BCM’s cemeteries — sacred places — long overdue

The state of cemeteries in the Buffalo City Metro has for years been a cause for concern for residents, who say the unkempt grounds and broken down facilities have turned their loved ones’ final resting place into a place of despair.

Worsening the situation are criminals, who have made visiting grave sites unsafe in parts of the metro. 

It is a perennial problem that often makes it onto the pages of this newspaper as frustrated residents and communities appeal for intervention from the local authority.

The Cambridge crematorium and cemetery is one of the many facilities that have been the target of criminals. 

A wall of remembrance has over the years been slowly destroyed by vandals, who have ripped off memorial plaques.

It is said that even the screws used for the plaques are fair game for criminals, who allegedly sell these to scrap dealers.

The garden of remembrance is in no better shape, neither is the chapel at the crematorium.

Vandals have stolen the pond’s water pump and speakers at the chapel. 

The situation has become so dire that funeral directors are now advising clients to make alternative plans for the remains of their loved ones.

These memorial sites aren’t simply gardens or walls with the names of people who had died. To families and friends, it is a sacred place where they can pay respects to their loved ones.

However, the sanctity of these spaces are of no regard to criminals who are only interested in making a quick buck.

The metro earlier said it was looking at security challenges at its facilities, including the Cambridge crematorium.

In January, when the Dispatch last highlighted the dire state of cemeteries, BCM then said “we are taking stock of the vandalised damages”.

As with the destruction of electricity infrastructure, it will no doubt cost the municipality money to effectively respond to the security concerns at cemeteries.

But at some point we need to move beyond assessing the situation and acting to safeguard our cemeteries.

The importance of an effective security strategy cannot be over-emphasised.

It is one way of mitigating the decline of these facilities that are an integral part of our communities.

It will give peace of mind to visitors and preserve the dignity of these sites.

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