The death of a loved one is without a doubt one of the most painful experiences one can go through. It is only natural that one wants to pay your last respects by burying your deceased loved ones in a neat environment where you can visit the graves or niches afterwards in safe conditions.
Most municipal cemeteries in the Vaal Triangle are almost full or already overcrowded. Criticism is frequently heard about its untidy and unsafe conditions, but what are the alternatives if you don’t want to consider cremation?
A Vaal Triangle cattle farmer, Thabo Verster, saw the need for a neat and safe cemetery and is now transforming his farm, Uitgevallen, along the R42 route in Midvaal into a high-quality, tree-rich cemetery where people can bury their loved ones with peace of mind. About 40 acres of the farm’s 86 acres were set aside for the cemetery.
The first two graves in the cemetery, located near Fourways in Three Rivers, have already been filled. In the first phase there will be about 11 000 graves available, and over the next 20 years another 60 000 to 70 000 people will be able to find a last resting place here. A neat wall with niches where loved ones’ ashes can be kept, will also be built in time.
Requests have already been received from animal lovers for little graves for their beloved pets as well. It is not yet part of the planning, but if the demand is large enough, it will eventually be considered to dedicate a separate part of the farm to animal lovers’ deceased pets, says Uitgevallen Cemetery’s manager, Mr Johan van Graan.
“Our goal is to provide a thorough service and something beautiful for people who bury their loved ones here,” says Johan. It is being developed as a ‘green’ cemetery. More than a 1 000 large trees, evergreen shrubs and vines such as jasmine are being planted to eventually create a lovely garden, and benches will be erected so that people can come and sit here in peace and safety when they visit their loved ones’ graves or niches. Dedicated maintenance and security will be provided throughout.”
The cost of graves compares well with those of municipal cemeteries (about R2 300 per grave) but as an opening offer the price is currently significantly lower. This is a special offer that funeral directors as well as the public can take advantage of.
Single graves are available, as well as double graves on top of each other. A reserved grave can also be booked next to another grave. Family graves of five or more can also be reserved at a reduced cost.
There are also down payment options for people who want to book graves now and pay them off over a period of time. Talk to Johan, the manager, on 082 452 3467 or 074 421 5994 for more details.
*****************************************************************************************************
