News / Local
Insiza RDC Bans Burials Without Council Approval Under New Cemetery By-Laws
2 hrs ago |
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INSIZA – The Insiza Rural District Council has enacted new cemetery by-laws that prohibit burials without prior written permission from the council, under Statutory Instrument 167 of 2025 [CAP. 29:13].
According to the by-laws, no person may bury a body or ashes in any cemetery without delivering written council approval to a designated officer. Applications must include the deceased’s full name, age, last address, religious denomination, proposed burial date and time, and any other details required - alongside a prescribed fee.
Permission will only be granted upon presentation of a valid burial order issued under the Burial and Cremation Act [Chapter 5:03], or a cremation certificate for ashes. The council must also assign a grave number before any burial takes place, and no ashes may be disposed of in memorial gardens without written consent.
Each grave will be marked with a sign displaying its registered number, and all interments will be recorded in the council’s register. Violations of these provisions may result in fines as outlined in the Second Schedule.
The by-laws also allow residents to reserve grave plots or memorial allotments for future use. Reservations are valid for five years and may be renewed for another five years upon payment of a renewal fee. No reserved plot may be reassigned without council approval.
Standard plot dimensions are set at 2m x 1m for adults, 1m x 60cm for children, and 60cm x 60cm for ashes in urns. The council may also grant exclusive burial rights in designated cemetery sections under specific terms.
Burials are permitted daily between 9am and 4pm, with exceptions made for infants under one year old, who may be buried outside normal hours at no extra cost.
The move is aimed at improving cemetery management, ensuring proper record-keeping, and maintaining order in burial practices across the district.
According to the by-laws, no person may bury a body or ashes in any cemetery without delivering written council approval to a designated officer. Applications must include the deceased’s full name, age, last address, religious denomination, proposed burial date and time, and any other details required - alongside a prescribed fee.
Permission will only be granted upon presentation of a valid burial order issued under the Burial and Cremation Act [Chapter 5:03], or a cremation certificate for ashes. The council must also assign a grave number before any burial takes place, and no ashes may be disposed of in memorial gardens without written consent.
Each grave will be marked with a sign displaying its registered number, and all interments will be recorded in the council’s register. Violations of these provisions may result in fines as outlined in the Second Schedule.
The by-laws also allow residents to reserve grave plots or memorial allotments for future use. Reservations are valid for five years and may be renewed for another five years upon payment of a renewal fee. No reserved plot may be reassigned without council approval.
Standard plot dimensions are set at 2m x 1m for adults, 1m x 60cm for children, and 60cm x 60cm for ashes in urns. The council may also grant exclusive burial rights in designated cemetery sections under specific terms.
Burials are permitted daily between 9am and 4pm, with exceptions made for infants under one year old, who may be buried outside normal hours at no extra cost.
The move is aimed at improving cemetery management, ensuring proper record-keeping, and maintaining order in burial practices across the district.
Source - Byo24news
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