Graves in demand

There is a waiting list of 4,283 people who wish to buy a grave in a government cemetery, according to figures given in parliament yesterday. The biggest number is 2,238 for graves at the Addolorata Cemetery.

Health Minister Louis Deguara told Labour MP Silvio Parnis in reply to a parliamentary question that a development application for the building of 1,500 graves at the Addolorata was in its final phase. A further 128 graves were being built at Burmarrad, while at Mellieha 84 graves had been built.

Replying to another question, by Labour MP Karl Chircop, the minister said persons who wished to purchase a grave and did not have another grave in a government cemetery may fill an application form indicating the preferred cemetery. The application was processed by the Health Department and each application was listed according to the preferred cemetery by date order. When graves were available for sale, applicants were called according to the list.