Ra Rakiraki cemetery gets government-funded washroom facilities to ease funeral rites
For years, mourners at the Ra Christian Cemetery in Rakiraki faced a common hardship: there were no washroom facilities on site. Women, children, and others often had to leave mid-service to find restrooms in town or nearby homes, disrupting moments of grieving and support. That situation has now changed.
The Government, through the Ministry of Multi-Ethnic Affairs, has provided funding of more than 8,700 to construct new washroom facilities at the cemetery. Cemetery President Praveen Ramswarup welcomed the development, saying the community had waited a long time for this day. “Funeral services usually take hours, with prayers and preaching. People travel from far places. Having a washroom facility here will make a big difference, especially for women and children,” he said.
The Ra Christian Cemetery serves Rakiraki residents as well as families from surrounding districts, and the new facilities are expected to offer comfort and dignity to many during difficult times. Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs, Charan Jeath Singh, emphasized the government’s commitment to practical projects that improve lives and ensure no community is left behind. “We are committed to practical projects that improve lives and ensure no community is left behind,” he noted.
Impact and context
The initiative at Ra fits into a broader national effort to strengthen end-of-life services across Fiji. Recent developments include a series of upgrades and new facilities funded by government grants and community contributions to enhance mortuary and crematorium capacity. A mental snapshot of the trend shows the government actively expanding dignified funeral care, with projects ranging from mortuary units to eco-friendly crematorium facilities, and a ongoing push to improve rural access to these essential services.
What this means for the community
– Improved dignity and convenience for mourners during lengthy funeral services.
– A practical though meaningful upgrade that reflects listening to local needs.
– a broader pattern of investment in end-of-life infrastructure across Fiji, signaling a hopeful path toward more reliable and compassionate services for families in all regions.
Editor’s note and possibilities for follow-up
If possible, future coverage could include a short update on the completion timeline, details on maintenance arrangements for the new facilities, and any additional community facilities planned for Rakiraki. It would also be helpful to gather brief reactions from other local leaders or donors once the project progresses.
Summary
The Ra Christian Cemetery in Rakiraki now benefits from on-site washroom facilities funded by a government grant, a change welcomed by families and framed within Fiji’s wider push to modernize end-of-life services and support dignified bereavement across the country.
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