No new cemeteries will be built but extensions will be allowed, according to proposals released by the planning authority.

Mepa yesterday released the proposed objectives for public consultation.

The policy would also establish the best practices for the “proper daily management” of cemeteries and to ensure these were conserved or upgraded as needed.

Hydro-geological impacts caused by cemeteries or extensions also had to be identified.

Mepa said it was important to ensure the policy did not discriminate between different rites and religions while looking into different methods of burial, including cremation.

Space in cemeteries has always been an issue. Five years ago, then health minister John Dalli had announced that Cabinet was considering extending the Addolorata Cemetery by 9,000 graves. The ambitious three-year project costing €33 million would have been funded from the sale of the graves at €8,000 each.

However, it never took off and, last year, former health minister Joe Cassar unveiled plans by the Nationalist government to sell 3,000 graves at the cemetery for €5,000 each.

There are 20,517 private graves in government cemeteries, of which 14,329 are at the Addolorata. There are also 1,776 common graves and thousands on the waiting list.

Submissions can be made to Director of Planning, Cemeteries Policy MEPA, St Francis Ravelin, Floriana or by e-mail to: cemeteries.policy@mepa.org.mt. The deadline is December 16.