(PointXpress)Work on fencing the area at Tomlinson’s that has been earmarked for a new public cemetery will begin by the end of this week. The announcement comes from Health Minister, Sir Molwyn Joseph, while speaking in parliament to wrap up debate on the Public Health Amendment Act.
The amendment seeks to allow for the burial of human bodies that have been stored at local funeral homes which remain unclaimed by relatives. In response to requests for an update on how soon the new cemetery will become usable, Sir Molwyn said work will begin shortly on the fencing of the Tomlinson’s site as government moves to speed up the preparation of the cemetery for use.
“The team that is currently working at Cades Bay will complete that aspect of the work this week and it will be immediately transferred to begin work on the fence at the new cemetery. Part of the fence will use chain-wire fencing material,” Sir Molwyn reported.
He also reported that within the next sixty days the site can be prepared so that burial can begin. He said the decision was made to prepare an area for immediate use with the expectation that the master development plan for the area will be implemented over time.
“We are sectioning off a portion of the site to be used immediately for burial. This will ease the pressure on the community and public burial sites,” Sir Molwyn noted. The health minister said too often family members refuse to claim their bodies and the amendment will allow for the funeral homes with approval of the Chief Health Inspector to bury these corpses.
