The Fiji Corrections Service (FCS) is urging an immediate review of the Burial and Cremation Act 1911. Overseen by the Ministry of Health, this act has not been updated to align with the changing responsibilities and challenges the FCS faces in managing urban burial sites. Over the years, the FCS has taken on the task of managing these sites, ensuring proper conduct of burials and maintenance of burial grounds.
FCS Commissioner Jale Nakarawa highlighted that this arrangement lacks official recognition in the current legal framework, causing significant operational difficulties. “While we are dedicated to maintaining burial sites, the FCS doesn’t have the necessary resources to adequately monitor these areas and prevent vandalism,” Nakarawa said. “The legal framework does not grant us the authority or the means to effectively address damage and security concerns.”
FCS has acknowledged a rise in vandalism and damage at burial sites, noting that it cannot comprehensively address these issues and is not liable for damage or desecration caused by such acts. As part of the Act’s review, the management practice of these sites may need to be reconsidered or regulated to ensure their sustainable upkeep.
The traditional practice of decorating graves, while culturally important, contributes to the accumulation of rubbish that requires regular clearing, placing an additional burden on the FCS’s resources. The review of the Burial and Cremation Act 1911 is long overdue. An updated legal framework is essential to clearly define the FCS’s responsibilities and provide the necessary resources and authority to manage burial sites efficiently.
“We urge the Government and relevant stakeholders to prioritize the review of the Burial and Cremation Act 1911,” Nakarawa stated. “This is crucial for the FCS to continue its role in managing urban burial sites and to protect these sacred spaces from neglect and vandalism.”
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