Inflation raises ‘grave’ concern for burials

Escalating costs make burials unaffordable for many people

KARACHI:

Citizens are grappling with soaring burial expenses, making it increasingly difficult for them to afford the final resting place for their loved ones. As inflation casts a wide net over all aspects of life, even the process of arranging funerals has become an arduous task especially for the poor and middle class.

The lack of burial space in the city's cemeteries compounds the issue, and additional charges are imposed for obtaining a burial space. The burial process itself has become cumbersome for citizens. Karachi has a total of 213 graveyards, with 38 of them managed by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC). Each cemetery imposes varying charges, and some tombs are unlawfully occupied, with arbitrary fees extorted from mourners.

Interestingly, the control of cemeteries in Karachi is as diverse as the city's landscape. While most cemeteries fall under the jurisdiction of the KMC, others are managed by different land control agencies. This includes Isa Nagri, Sakhi Hasan, Muhammad Shah, Azeempura, Chakragoth, Korangi, Society, Model Colony, Yasinabad, Mewashah, Paposh Nagar, and numerous other cemeteries within KMC's domain.

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However, many of these cemeteries have banned burials for several years, further exacerbating the shortage of burial sites in the city. The scarcity of available burial spaces has reached a critical point, leaving citizens unable to afford a final resting place for their loved ones.

To address this issue, a new formula for burials has emerged, allowing multiple burials in a single grave, albeit at a significant cost. Shockingly, all graveyards in Karachi have reached full capacity, leaving no room for additional burials.

Corruption has taken root in the cemetery system, with exorbitant fees being charged. Officially, a grave in the KMC cemeteries costs Rs14,500, but the cemetery staff often demand between Rs25,000 and Rs50,000. The highest rates are observed in the Society cemetery, where graves can fetch between Rs100,000 and Rs500,000.

Graveyards like Mewashah and Paposh Nagar are reportedly controlled by criminal elements, preventing even the KMC staff from entering. KMC officials report instances of unidentified individuals opening fire on their staff in the Paposh Nagar graveyard.

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Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad Baloch has now announced efforts to address the shortage of graveyards. As much as 200 acres of land has been allocated for a cemetery in West District, with burial processes already underway. A boundary wall is being erected around the cemetery to secure the land. Additionally, a cemetery spanning over 50 acres has been established in Malir, with assurances of free burials for citizens.

When asked about the official Rs14,500 grave fee, the deputy mayor expressed surprise at reports of higher charges. He clarified that graves are offered free of charge in Malir, and plans are underway to allocate thousands of acres for cemeteries in the region. Deputy Commissioners in other Karachi districts have also been instructed to identify suitable land for graveyards.

Karachi witnesses more than 250 daily deaths, with varying peaks in January, June, July, and December. Hundreds of residents face the daunting task of burial 365 days a year, underscoring the urgency for the Sindh government, local bodies, and land control agencies to address this critical issue.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, September 11^th, 2023.