The government is to build and sell 3,000 graves at the Addolorata Cemetery and another 76 at the cemetery in Mellieha, Health Minister Joseph Cassar said today. They will be sold at  €5,000 each.

There is a list of 6,000 waiting to buy a grave, with 5,000 seeking a grave at the Addolorata. The oldest application is 20 years old. 

Dr Cassar said that those on the waiting list will receive a letter in the coming days asking them to confirm their interest and to come forward for a promise of sale agreement.

The call for tenders for the building of the graves closes next week. 

The government is also planning development of St Anthony Cemetery, near Mdina.

The price of the graves announced today is lower than a figure revealed by Dr Cassar himself last October.

He had said in reply to a parliamentary question that the real cost of a new grave was €8,000.