No grave situation for Knysna

GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - While cemeteries in George are experiencing difficulties due to the sharp increase in Covid-19 fatalities, the situation at Knysna cemeteries remains stable, according to the Knysna Municipality.

Possible expansion plans are in the pipeline for Sedgefield.

Last week, George/Knysna-Plett Herald reported on the alarming rate at which the cemetery in York Street in George is filling up due to the high rate of Covid-19 related deaths in the area.

George Municipality is set to add four hectares of cemetery space, with 6 250 burial sites being made available. Thankfully, residents of Knysna need not worry as the capacity of the local cemeteries is sufficient for now.

Knysna Municipality spokesperson Christopher Bezuidenhoudt said, "We have sufficient capacity to last about a year at the Knysna cemetery."

The cemetery in Knysna is predicted to still have capacity for another year.

The cemetery in Sedgefield has, however, reached its capacity and has been closed, but Bezuidenhoudt clarified that the municipality is adding to the capacity currently available.

"We are in the process of increasing the capacity of the Sedgefield cemetery and developing an extension at a site next to the old one," he explained.

There are also plans to build a new cemetery in Knysna, some way from the existing one in the industrial area. "We have identified land in the Salt River area in Knysna for the development of a new cemetery," Bezuidenhoudt said.

He said there is still space at Karatara and Rheenendal cemeteries.

The cemetery in Knysna is predicted to still have capacity for another year.