Westpark Cemetery to reach full capacity, what alternatives are there?

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Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) has confirmed that Westpark Cemetery will reach capacity by May 2025.�

Currently, the cemetery is limiting burials to 15 interments per week.�

WESTPARK CEMETERY EXPECTED TO REACH FULL CAPACITY�

Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo spokesperson Jenny Moodley said this marks a critical moment in managing the city’s burial space, and they are addressing it with great care and consideration for residents’ immediate and long-term needs.

Moodley said as urban populations grow and available cemetery space diminishes, they face significant challenges in maintaining sufficient burial space for future generations.

“To address the current scarcity and future demand for burial space, JCPZ is exploring additional City of Johannesburg land for new cemetery sites. We are committed to working with the City of Johannesburg and relevant stakeholders to secure land that can help alleviate pressure on our existing cemeteries and cater for future burial needs in the next four to five decades.�

“Additionally, JCPZ is actively lobbying for policy changes that will allow for the more effective use of burial space and the sustainable management of cemetery resources. Currently the draft cemetery, parks and nature reserve bylaws are going through the public engagement process to be reviewed,” she said.�

Notably, 39 of the 42 cemeteries managed by JCPZ are at full capacity. Moodley said this reflects a broader challenge facing the city, as dormant burial spaces incur high costs for general maintenance and safety.

Westpark Cemetery Johannesburg — A number of famous South Africans were laid to rest at the Westpark Cemetery. Image via TikTok @bronwynnew

RESIDENTS URGED TO EXPLORE ALTERNATIVE INTERMENT OPTIONS�

As Westpark Cemetery nears full capacity, Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo has urged residents to explore alternative interment options to reduce the strain on limited burial spaces.�

HERE ARE SOME OF THE OPTIONS:�

Reopening Graves: Some families have opted to reopen existing graves to inter-loved ones from the same family.�

This practice preserves valuable burial space and helps mitigate the rising long-term costs of installing additional headstones and maintaining large tracts of dormant cemeteries at huge costs to the ratepayer.

Cremation: Cremation presents a sustainable and space-saving burial option. While not embraced by all faiths, this alternativehas become increasingly popular and is widely considered a respectful and environmentally conscious choice.

Mausoleums: Families may also consider installing mausoleums, which are above-ground burial chambers that house more than one family member.

For families still in need of first-time burial spaces, City Parks will be redirecting requests to the three active cemeteries in the city which currently have sufficient capacity for the next 30-40 years. These are: