Double-stacking of vaults in cemeteries across the Cayman Islands has begun in a bid to increase their capacity, as several reach the limit of available grave space.
To date, North West Point and West Bay cemeteries have stopped creating new burial plots while Boatswain Bay Cemetery is expected to cease in 2024 – based on previous estimates.
However, Cabinet approval for the double-stacking of vaults in March 2022 is now allowing for the cemeteries to provide more resting places for the deceased.
The update came in Parliament on Wednesday, 20 Sept., after Roy McTaggart, MP for George Town East, asked what is being done to ensure sufficient resting places to meet future needs.
Sabrina Turner, Minister of Health and Wellness, said the Department of Environmental Health is in charge of cemetery management, construction and sale of vaults, in Grand Cayman.
Meanwhile, cemeteries in Cayman Brac and Little Cayman fall under the Ministry of District Administration and Lands.
Turner said there are currently 7,639 vaults available in Grand Cayman’s public cemeteries.
In Boatswain Bay there are 22; East End, 149; Gun Bay 23; North Side, 144; Old Man Bay, 66; Prospect, 2,497; Bodden Town, 803; and St. Mary’s Garden of Rest, 3,935.
She went on to say that based on historical usage, Boatswain Bay Cemetery is expected to reach capacity in 2024, East End Cemetery by 2057 and St. Mary’s Garden of Rest Cemetery by 2167.
“However, it should be pointed out that as a result of Cabinet’s approval on 29 March 2022, double stacked vaults are allowed,” the minister said.
“This new burial practice provides an opportunity to use a cemetery that is otherwise considered closed or to extend one that is nearing capacity.”
Turner added that in anticipation of future needs, the Ministry of Health and Wellness team are in the middle of an extensive review of the Public Health Act.
“This exercise is complex as the act affects a number of entities that deliver and manage public health services,” she said.
“One suggestion for the review team is to develop a bespoke legislation for environmental health functions, and this is a direction in which the ministry intends to proceed.”
The minister explained that when the new environmental health act is drafted, provisions will be made for formalisation of cemeteries and crematoria regulations.
McTaggart asked if any double stacking of vaults is taking place yet, and Turner responded that there was, in East End and Cayman Brac, adding, “This is a new culture for us.”
She said the Department of Environmental Health has strengthened and improved the base construction of all vaults, knowing that the policy is now in effect.
“People are catching on,” she said, “and this will improve and expand the life of these cemeteries not being deemed full.”
Related Videos
