The Herald has received several complaints from local mourners about the maintenance of the Brakpan Cemetery.
Many of these complaints involve flowers and other decorative items being removed from gravesites.
There are, however, strict council by-laws that have to be adhered to when it comes to cemetery maintenance.
As per the municipality’s cemetery and crematorium by-laws, the following applies:
• Unless otherwise provided in these by-laws, the council shall be responsible for keeping the cemeteries in a clean and neat condition.
• No gardening is allowed in the berm and grass section.
• No person shall erect, place or leave upon a grave any object or decoration, except during the first 30 days following the internment therein.
• No tree or shrubs may be planted on the graves in any section.
• The cemetery officer or any member of his staff may remove natural or artificial flowers or anything placed on the grave.
• No person shall, at the time of the council levelling/grassing any section of a cemetery, hinder the cemetery officer in the execution of his/her duties.
• No soil may be removed from the grave without the consent of the cemetery officer.
Residents have a choice between a full stone and berm section burial before the burial takes place.
The contact number for the Brakpan Cemetery is 011 999 8243.
Also read:
Stringent by-laws aim to curb tombstone violations
