Parliament recently achieved a remarkable milestone by unanimously passing the Burial and Cremation Amendment Bill 2025, marking the first substantial reform of Fiji’s burial legislation in over a century. This rare show of bipartisan unity reflects the significance that Members of Parliament place on issues related to public health, dignity, and cultural respect.
The new legislation revitalizes the outdated 1911 Act, which had languished without significant changes for 114 years. Key updates include enhanced definitions, stricter penalties for illegal burials, and clearer regulations governing cemeteries and crematoriums. Health Minister Lalabalavu emphasized the importance of these reforms, stating they are essential to bolster public health protection, ensure financial sustainability, and incorporate modern technologies. He reiterated the goal of creating a unified contemporary regulatory framework for all burial and cremation facilities.
Lalabalavu noted that while the modernization of the legislation was crucial, additional steps are still needed to formalize burial grounds across the nation. Opposition MP Parveen Bala echoed this sentiment, describing the bill as long overdue and praising the government’s initiative to revamp a law that had been stagnant for more than a century. He urged the parliament to consider special capital project grants for timely advancements in cemetery access and overall maintenance.
With the Bill’s passage, Fiji is poised to tackle pressing challenges related to land acquisition, cemetery formalization, and long-term burial strategies, especially in light of growing demands on available burial space. This legislative progress represents a hopeful step forward, aligning Fiji’s burial practices with contemporary values while respecting cultural traditions.
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