ROADTOWN Tortola BVI, April 2nd, 2012   –  Public cemeteries are the history books of the Virgin Islands and more needs to be done to ensure their preservation.

This is according to Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton who notes that tourists often pay keen interest in the tombstones and the engravings, and revealed that work is in progress to upgrade the organisational layout and visual appeal of the Territory’s public cemeteries to include concrete walk-ways.

These are all part of the efforts being undertaken by the Ministry of Health and Social Development to improve the appearance of the Territory’s public cemeteries.

Additionally, as part of the austerity measures being implemented by the Government, the Ministry will be enforcing the fee structures for graves in public burial grounds commencing on May 1.

According to the Second Schedule of the Cemeteries Act, the fees for an adult and child’s grave are $35 and $15, respectively. Fees should be submitted with the application for burial to the Ministry of Health and Social Development.

The Ministry will issue a receipt which should be presented to the respective burial ground manager before the construction of vaults can commence.

Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Development, Mrs. Carolyn Stoutt Igwe explained the current burial application process and stated, “Applications must be accompanied by a death certificate, permit to bury and a cremation certificate if applicable.”

“As part of the application process, applicants should also submit the name of the funeral home making the arrangements, the date of burial, the name of the leader or Pastor performing the burial and the name of the burial site,” said the Deputy Secretary.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development then issues a Permission to Bury letter to the applicant. A copy of the approval letter, along with the permit to bury, is sent to the funeral home, the person conducting the burial and the Burial Ground Manager.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development is responsible for processing applications for burials in all public and private cemeteries (excluding church cemeteries) and advises that an educational campaign will be held on the enforcement of the fee schedule for public burial grounds.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development endeavours to provide leadership that promotes health, social well-being and a safe environment.

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