Death, mortality and epitaphs

Epitaphs were for centuries looked upon as being as necessary as dying, as necessary as funerals. At any rate they held as important a place in the funeral etiquette of the past as the pomp and show appear to hold in many cases today!

I always found these epitaphs truly fascinating, giving that extra something much needed in our cemeteries. Wouldn't it be great if epitaphs were to become fashionable again?

This, of course, posed another question: How does one buy a grave? I became aware of a present growing problem. Last year, I was told, I would have to wait at least five years due to a long list of applicants. In fact, it has been confirmed that there is no more "space" available at Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery.

Many villages and towns in Malta, such as Qormi, Zebbug and Rabat, have their own cemetery. Although these are far smaller than the Addolorata, they are well preserved and tended on a regular basis.

In the ninth and 10th electoral divisions there are nine parishes with a large population. Many of theses citizens would like to purchase a grave within the area, if made available to them at a decent price.

Presently in Pembroke there is quite a large area of land not being used for anything in particular. There also already exists a military cemetery. Maybe another cemetery should be built adjacent to it. One can hardly oppose such a proposition, it's hardly likely that anybody would consider anything else!

The scheme will not cost any capital expenditure, on the contrary, it may turn out to be a great investment.

I hope the parish priests and mayors of these districts, namely Swieqi and Pembroke, will support this proposal whole-heartedly.

It seems nobody realises the seriousness of this problem, until they find themselves in a situation like this. A solution needs to be found, not in "light" years to come but today before tomorrow.

Being aware of our mortality only helps us to appreciate every day a little bit more and for some it will help bring them down to earth!

We all have to perish one day, at least this way we can know exactly where we are going to rest.

Not myself, but the truth that in life I have spoken,
Not myself, but the seed that in life I have sown,
Shall pass on to ages - all about me forgotten,
Save the truth I have spoken, the things I have done.

Some might remark that the epitaph is of no use if it records imagery virtues or faults. Deception cannot be permanent for time will efface the record. However, whatever they say I personally find the whole idea makes a cemetery more interesting, romantic and profitable to the epitaph-writer!