Linden’s mayor says town running out of burial space

Noting that the township of Linden records an average of 20 deaths per month, the Linden Mayor and Town Council, is currently in the process of identifying an alternative burial site.
Linden Mayor Sharma Solomon explained that this decision was made following the significant lack of space at the town’s primary burial ground.
The well-known Christiansburg Cemetery has been the premier location where residents from Linden and region 10 (Upper Demerara- Upper Berbice) go to bury their loved ones.
However, in a recent live broadcast on his Facebook page Linden Mayor Sharma Solomon revealed that the lifespan of the cemetery is nearing its end.
“As we conclude our business of the council, a matter came up about our cemeteries in Linden and at the moment without alarming the public we are running out of space at the Christiansburg Cemetery for burials. On average We don’t have a year more maybe a few more months six months maximum Based on the rate of deaths. We have roughly about a hundred a hundred and twenty more spots at Christiansburg Cemetery Where we have a rate of death of 20 almost in a region 10,” the mayor said.

In this regard, the Mayor noted that authorities are currently looking at several burial alternatives which include the expansion of the Bamia Cemetery and acquiring lands from farmers in the Christiansburg area.
“A few options remaining with the current sites that we have would be to either expand the Christiansburg area by approaching farmers in the area and asking those farmers to help us with some land. So, with an average of six to four more months of burial at the Christiansburg Cemetery There are now Intentions to see how we could get expansion at Bamia.”
Moreover, the Mayor explained that if these efforts are futile the council will move to identify a suitable location to establish a third burial ground in the region.
“We are looking at available lands and those will have to certainly be if not convenient locations which is difficult, we’ll have to look at places such as the Rockstone Road. Think about that Or the Ituni Road think about that or as far as Moblissa.”
Additionally, the Mayor said that by law, town councils are permitted to revisit old grave sites after several years and refurbish them to provide space for more burials.
Currently in Linden Region 10 (Upper Demerara- Upper Berbice) there are only two established burial grounds the Christiansburg Cemetery, which is located at the back of the Christiansburg community and the Bamia Cemetery which is located at Bamia on the Linden Soesdyke Highway.