Paheja Siririka
& Maihapa Ndjavera
Some grieving families losing loved ones to the dreaded Covid-19 pandemic have been left with little option but to break an old taboo by opting to cremate the remains of their departed.
For years, many black communities have dismissed the practice because of deep-rooted cultural reasons. Many still see it as an unrespectable way of bidding farewell to a loved one. However, the Covid-19 pandemic is quietly changing this reality, as some families now prefer to cremate their loved ones, owing to strict coronavirus burial protocols.
The restrictions on gatherings and other concerns have made cremation a more viable option for some. The service is, however, only offered in the capital at the facility owned and operated by the City of Windhoek. City spokesperson Harold Akwenye confirmed more families planning funerals in the capital are considering cremation.
“Under normal circumstances, we cremate, on average, 40 bodies per month – but with Covid-19, the demand for cremation has increased rapidly and we are cremating about 60 to 75 bodies monthly,” stated Akwenye.
As per the gazetted tariff for the 2020/21 financial year, cremation for a Windhoek resident is N$950 and for a non-resident N$1 662.
“These are just the cremation fees payable to the City of Windhoek and it does not include fees paid to the funeral undertakers,” Akwenye added.
According to Akwenye, families opting for cremation can have the process facilitated by any funeral parlour of their choice, where they purchase a coffin and make payments.
The process requires the following: an application for cremation, certificate of a medical practitioner, confirmatory certificate and certificate of post-mortem examination in the case of unnatural death, the authority to cremate and a Windhoek crematorium notice of interment form has to be filled in before cremation can take place.
The forms are then submitted to the city’s crematorium. Namibia’s only crematorium is situated at the Gammans cemetery in Pionierspark. In 1970, recommendations were made to council for the construction of a crematorium. By 1972, the building plans for the crematorium were approved, construction was completed in 1975 and the first cremation took place on 26 April 1976.
Akwenye said reasons for cremation vary and can be personal or a cultural practice. “It can be a personal wish for the deceased or the family, or it is common practice for some people in their culture. The City of Windhoek has been creating awareness about cremation as an alternative burial method as opposed to conventional burial only – and as a result, many people are starting to opt for this method, compared to the past,” Akwenye added.
As far as the process is concerned, the furnace takes time to get to the desired temperature; thus, the first day, it can do up to three bodies – and from the second day, five bodies can be cremated depending on the size of the remains.
Ramana Mutjavikua, who recently buried his brother and former Erongo governor Cleophas Mutjavikua in Grootfontein, noted the fact of the country only has a cremation service in Windhoek is worrisome and needs to be addressed.
Unless cremated, the current regulation is that bodies should be buried closest to where the death occurred, so families are left with no option but to allow state burials under Covid-19 regulations.
Thus, the transportation of bodies is not permissible. Historian Jarimbovandu Kaputu said the cremation process is the new culture that needs time for adaptivity.
He urged citizens to adhere to the guidelines in place as well as respecting existing cultural norms.
“This is the time of uncertainty and people should know where they are coming from and the meaning of culture. I understand the sensitivity of the virus, but a lot has to be said for the community to understand the new normal,” he said.
- psiririka@nepc.com.na