Industry Public Cemetery in Arima closed as site hits 95% capacity

  • Sep, Tue, 2024

Photo: Abraham Diaz

Kejan Haynes

New burials will not be permitted until further notice at the Industry Public Cemetery, located on the Eastern Main Road in Arima. The Tunapuna Piarco Regional Corporation issued a notice yesterday outlining the change. Chairman of the corporation Josiah Austin told Guardian Media the aging cemetery needs to be redesigned completely. He said the cemetery can hold 10,300 graves but it’s currently 95% occupied. 

The plan is to train staff to implement new models which identifies plots using a row and column grid. Each grid, Austin explained, will be assigned a unique identification number.

He explained this would allow for a gradual improvement in the plotting systems which should improve accessibility and overall management of the cemetery. 

“Over the years we’ve witnessed a serious growth in burials at this cemetery due to the growth and expansion of Arima and the closure of other cemeteries in other jurisdictions,” Austin said. “As one of the largest corporations we’ve acknowledged there will always be a need for burial plots.” He added the new system should help with the ability to rehabilitate and reuse where necessary, while minimising disruptions to existing graves.

“While the rehabilitation of existing cemeteries is essential, the establishment of a new cemetery along the east-west corridor is also crucial. So we’re setting out to identify several spaces for the establishment of a new cemetery and the process for that has already begun,” Austin said.
Earlier this year Minister of Rural Development and Local Government Faris Al-Rawi said the Government is currently looking at vesting orders for new burial sites which will legally allow state lands to be allocated to regional corporations. Al-Rawi had said several cemeteries across the country were running out of space, and some were even set to be closed down. 

The Tunapuna Piarco Regional Corporation has other cemeteries within its jurisdiction that are still open including Crown St, Tacarigua, Sreatham Lodge, Tunapuna, Carapo, and Washington Cemetery in Caroni.

Austin said however people can still visit loved ones at existing grave sites. 

He said for alternative arrangements, call 645-8772 ext 1106.

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