Privatise the crematoriums

READING the front page of POST, “Shock as grave space runs out” (November 15-19), it is indeed concerning that our community is in this crisis.

The exciting news is the sudden rush to get the Phoenix crematorium up and running and the realisation that it will be in private hands. It would be more effectively run and is definitely a step in the right direction.

It must be remembered that funerals are an emotional and painful experience. It is our responsibility as a society to make the process as un-traumatic as possible, and the additional crematoriums will address the delay that families experience due to the lack of crematorium space.

There is no need to “reinvent the wheel”, as the Clare Estate crematorium works like a well-oiled machine. The municipality should seriously consider the privatisation of not only the new Phoenix crematorium, but also the one at Mobeni Heights, where is has taken up to five years to repair the broken furnace. This is a disservice to ratepayers.

I am certain that if the question of privatisation is put out there as an opportunity, there are many competent people with experience in the funeral business – such as undertakers Lenny Reddy, Kosheek Maharaj, Nash Jadoo, Varna Pather and Clive Moodley – who would be able to drive this process to ensure that we can offer our people a cost-effective and dignified funeral.

If and when privatised, Mobeni and Phoenix would be among the best run crematoriums and, with the experience of the undertakers, they would be managed impeccably. The days of delays for repairs would be over. DHAYALAN MOODLEY Mobeni Heights