9,000 new graves for Addolorata

A total of 9,000 new graves will be added to the Addolorata Cemetery over the next three years in a massive €33 million extension to be built on the same architectural lines as the neo-gothic structures.

Announcing the plans yesterday, Social Policy Minister John Dalli said the pre-election project for the excavation of about 2,000 graves had been scrapped because the plans did not respect the architectural heritage of Addolorata Cemetery, the biggest public graveyard.

"After re-visiting the plans, I felt we were not going to do justice to Addolorata's rich architectural heritage, which is unfortunately in a dilapidated state," he said, adding that the Works Department had drawn up fresh plans that were more respectful towards the cemetery's architecture and layout.

Each new grave will be sold for about €8,000, an increase of some €3,000 over present prices.

Mr Dalli defended the increase, insisting it was in line with an improved service and the more respectful environment the cemetery would offer.

"I have heard rumours that because of the current scarcity graves are sold at even higher prices. This will come to an end because we will do away with waiting lists," he said.

The minister ruled out privatisation but the land would be passed on to a new government agency and a management contract would be awarded for 25 years after a public call for tenders.

The new extension is expected to cost about €30 million to complete while the renovation of the buildings, which are in a pitiful state, is estimated to come with a €3 million price tag.

However, the project will not require the government to invest one cent because it would be self-financing through the sale of the graves.

Under the new financing plans, the agency would have left-over funds to implement a continuous maintenance programme.

The new expansion plans will cover the back part of the cemetery all the way up to the Sta Luċija road, practically doubling the graveyard's land area.

The 9,000 graves, almost double the demand, would be enough to cater for the country's needs for the next 50 years, Mr Dalli said.

People who have had pending applications for new graves, he added, would have to re-apply but they would be given first preference.

The project is expected to be completed in three years' time but it will be built in phases to enable graves to come on the market in a staggered way.

The project will also create space for the construction of a crematorium but it will be up to the new management company to decide whether to build one or not.

Figures given in Parliament recently showed there are 6,530 applications for private graves in government cemeteries, of which 4,029 are for graves at the Addolorata.

There are 20,517 private graves in government cemeteries, including 14,329 are at Addolorata. There are also 1,776 "common" graves.