Joseph Zammit, Tarxien
Burial versus cremation (1)
True enough, as has been recently reported, many Maltese have been applying for a private grave at the Addolorata Cemetery for years now. Is it possible that no one holds direct responsibility for offering such citizens their right to a decent burial?
On the issue of cremation, we must respect the wishes of those who opt for burial, simply because there are more people who applied for a burial area at the Addolorata Cemetery. In Malta, burial is the preferred manner of showing respect to the dead.
Since primitive times people have preferred cremation. Some people would argue that cremation for our dead would be more economical at the end of the day. Less goes into the initial cost and less land space is taken up. Death is no longer looked at as a cult to be respected. Family quickly do away with the issue brought about by the dead family member who has been carried off into oblivion.
Each and every anniversary of the death of a forsaken one does not bring about the endless journey for the procuration of flowers, vases, water and candles and especially the chore of cleaning up the area of one’s family grave.
Would it not be more psychologically healthy to take time out periodically to continue this link with our blessed memories?
I consider the burial of our dead a more civil and humane thing, since in burial the sentiments of love and affection are continued. When we love someone we love them through what we see. And what we see of each person is the body; what remains thereafter their death is their body, while cremation destroys what we have been accustomed to.
No one is to be forced to choose cremation, especially when we can easily manage a burial area the size of Addolorata Cemetery. What we need is a civil service that will do justice to the applications for the burial wishes of so many thousands (4,029 applications for the Addolorata Cemetery alone).
Most of us would prefer a costly grave, where our loved ones can be cared for, rather than a quick cremation process, which changes the process of grief altogether.
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Nathalie Frendo
Nov 1st 2011, 12:30
Respect should be shown whilst the person is alive I suppose. Once dead one should be remembered for the good he/she did during his lifetime. Burial or cremation makes no difference in terms of respect. We are sometimes so close-minded.
Adrian Sacco
Nov 1st 2011, 09:57
How much "respect" does Mr Zammit think is given to the interred dead when, in due course, the grave needs to be "cleaned" (oh, what a euphemism!) for its next short-term tenant. In Malta the process is carried out by cemetery workers out of public opening hours; ergo out of sight equals out of mind. I'll tell you what, Mr Zammit - why don't you look at the Youtube and other online videos of disinterments in civilised places like Brazil, and then come back tell us about this supposed "respect"?
Charles Zammit
Oct 31st 2011, 12:38
How insulting and medivial letter . Where do you get your idea that in Malta people prefer burial to cremation , when did you get tese personla referendum figures from ?
Cremation destroys WHAT ? Still far better for rats and other vermin to destroy a body that has been buried .
It is your opinion and I respect that but for goodness sake do not be so naive and pathetic beside purile in your opinionated writing .
William Flynn
Oct 31st 2011, 11:44
Cremation or burial make no difference to how or for how long people are remembered after their death; as that would presuppose that people who die and whose bodies are never found are immediately forgotten.
Ramon Casha
Oct 31st 2011, 11:30
"In Malta, burial is the preferred manner of showing respect to the dead."
It is presently the ONLY way.
Some people simply prefer the concept of cremation to the idea of being slowly eaten away by maggots.
D Psaila
Oct 31st 2011, 10:57
I find your letter offensive and yes you have missed the point entirely. People like you should think about the feelings of others before putting pen to paper and describing cremation as "quick", "economical", "primitive", "space saving". My family members who have been cremated are no less respected, loved or remembered than those who have been buried. I would be very surprised if you have attended a cremation service yourself. It is a dignified occasion and in no way inferior to a burial.
Cremation or burial should be a matter of personal choice and of course in any civilised society no one should be forced to have a cremation if they prefer a burial and also vice versa, why should someone who prefers a cremation be forced to have a burial.
I can assure you that cremation in no way changes the process of grief. In cremation the sentiments of love and affection are continued. It is perfectly possible to visit the place where the ashes are interred and lay flowers and loved ones who are cremated are remembered and loved just as much as those who are buried.
As far as I am concerned I should have the freedom of choice as to whether I am cremated or buried and that choice has nothing to do with the cost or the lack of space for graves.
Joseph Calleja
Oct 31st 2011, 15:26
Very well said and I agree that Mr Zammit is very insensitive and not very well informed and should have thought seriously before writing this letter. If Mr Zammit can afford the 8000 euro plot, good for him but most people have a hard time coming up with that kind of money for a burial plot and don't forget this is per family member. Shame on Mr Zammit although he is entitled to his opinion.
Joseph Zammit
Nov 18th 2011, 10:06
A tiny comment if you allow me one, not only have I personally been to a number of cremation services abroad. I was olso granted the occasion of a tour behind the seens, and have wached the division of parts, seperation of the elements, ther gringing processes and the furnaces. Therefore I speak in the first person as eye witness.
What I did not enter into the above correspondance with editor and lector, is the question of cost. There is more profit made out of cremation than burial. Thankyou!
William Flynn
Oct 31st 2011, 10:49
Everything turns to dust in time. Cremation simply brings that inevitability forward efficiently, cheaply and realistically. A "grave" for the ashes can still exist; but a much tinier area is utilized.
Oh, and by the way, the chances of anyone rising from the grave, or the dust and reconstituting into a human being to go to the hereafter body and soul are 1: as many zeros as can be printed by keeping a finger on the zero on the keyboard for longer than the universe has been formed. (+ or - 15 biilion years).
The only thing we shall surely become is star dust.
Peter Murray
Oct 31st 2011, 09:52
You have missed the point and issue entirely Mr.Zammit.As you make reference to a "preference for a costly grave" without acknowledgeing that curently there is no freedom of choice ,alternative option or the wherewithal for those who don't prefer interrment to dispose of their remains and that is the pivotal key element for consideration surely? Also the fact remains that graves are not only very costly but also even if one has the necessary funds,you omitted to mention this nevertheless is still immensely elusive to procure.Indeed as you say"no one is forced to choose cremation" but again forget to mention that perversely one is forced to be "choose" burial without acknowledging nor apparently accepting that no such choice actually exists- as what other option is available?