BCC tightens burial rules

Bulawayo City Council has introduced sweeping new cemetery regulations tightening burial procedures, formalising cremation and exhumation processes, and imposing stricter controls on grave reservations as the city grapples with growing pressure on burial space.

The new policy framework, guided by the Cemeteries Act and the Burial and Cremation Act, comes amid increasing concerns over shrinking burial land caused by population growth and urban expansion.

According to the policy, the city now operates only two active cemeteries — Luveve and Umvutsha — while older cemeteries classified as closed will only accommodate second burials, reserved graves and tombstone installations.

Council said the measures are aimed at ensuring cemetery services are conducted "in a respectful, timely and dignified manner" while maintaining graveyards as "safe and respectful environments for all users."

Under the new rules, burials will strictly take place between 8AM and 1PM daily, including public holidays, with all bookings required to be completed at least 24 hours before burial.

"Cemeteries are for committal services, not for funeral services and mourners are to respect time," the policy states, adding that large crowds are discouraged.

Families will now be required to first obtain burial orders from the Civil Registry Department before approaching funeral parlours or cemetery officials for bookings.

The city also introduced stricter procedures for bodies repatriated from outside Zimbabwe, requiring all arrangements to be completed before 4PM on Fridays.

"In all instances, the actual burial should only be allowed to proceed after the production of a valid Zimbabwean burial order," council said.

The regulations formally incorporate cremation procedures as cremation increasingly becomes an alternative in urban areas facing land shortages.

Families wishing to bury ashes at cemeteries such as Athlone or West Park will now be required to notify cemetery supervisors and pay prescribed fees.

Council also tightened rules on grave reservations, saying reserved graves will only be available to surviving spouses, with reservation fees payable every five years.

Second interments will be allowed only under approved conditions.

"Second interment is allowed under special circumstances subject to application and approval by the Director Health Services," the document states.

Exhumations will only be permitted in specific cases such as forensic investigations, mistaken burials or repatriation of remains.

"All exhumations should be done in the presence of the Zimbabwe Republic Police and all other parties involved," council said.

The policy also introduces stricter conduct regulations within cemeteries, banning littering, vandalism, unauthorised business activity and bribery of council employees.

"No person shall bribe or try to bribe any employee in the service of the Council in regard to any matter in connection with a cemetery or burial," the regulations state.

Council warned that violations of the new cemetery rules would attract penalties under a Class B misdemeanour offence.