Families in Ba will soon have access to a more dignified and culturally appropriate facility to farewell their loved ones, with construction now underway on a new gas-fired crematorium at the Varoko Hindu Shamshan Bhumi.

For many families, the facility is expected to provide a dedicated place to carry out final rites in accordance with their religious and cultural traditions while offering comfort during one of life’s most difficult moments.

The groundbreaking ceremony was officiated by Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs, Culture, Heritage and Arts, Charan Jeath Singh, marking the start of construction on a project that has been supported through the provision of a gas-fired cremator machine.

“This facility will provide families in bar and surrounding communities with a dedicated place to farewell their loved ones with dignity, respect and in accordance with their religious and cultural traditions. A crematorium is more than a physical structure” Singh highlighted.

“It is a place of deep spiritual and cultural significance, a place where families and communities come together at one of the most difficult moments in their lives to honour their loved ones, perform their final rites and find comfort and closure” he added.

The new facility will also reduce reliance on large quantities of firewood, providing a cleaner alternative while helping ease pressure on vegetation and forest resources.

Construction of the crematorium follows delays caused by the Environmental Impact Assessment process, with the necessary approvals now allowing the project to move forward responsibly and in line with environmental requirements.

The line minister highlights that once completed, the facility will serve generations of families in Ba, providing a respectful place for communities to honour their loved ones while carrying out their final rites according to their traditions.

“Once completed, the cremation will provide a more appropriate and dignified facility for families while also supporting more efficient and responsible use of land” Singh said.

“Over the longer term, the cremation can help reduce the demand for additional burial land allowing valuable land resources to remain available for agriculture, housing, infrastructure and other productive purposes” he continued.

By: Joeli Ragoneliwa