The Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) has started work on the drafting of a policy and design guidance for cemeteries.

It said the proposed objectives are to prohibit the construction of new cemeteries and to establish criteria for the assessment of development applications for extensions to cemeteries to determine and establish best practices for the proper daily management of cemeteries and ensure that existing cemeteries are conserved and/or upgraded.

It will also identify any hydro-geological impacts caused by cemeteries or extensions thereto; ensure that the emerging policy does not discriminate between different rites and religions; explore the possibility of introducing different methods of burial (including cremation) and establish safeguards which are necessary to address potential environmental impacts (such as emissions).

Individuals and organisations are being invited to send their submissions on this objective.Representations are to be made in writing to the Director of Planning, Cemeteries Policy MEPA , St. Francis Ravelin, Floriana or through e-mail: cemeteries.policy@mepa.org.mt

In October last year, the government announced it intended to sell on plan 3,000 graves at the Addolorata cemetery for €5,000 each.

At the time there were about 6,000 people on a waiting list, with the oldest application dating back 20 years. 

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