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New burial system neater, space-saving

Written by DeadGirl
Monday, 07 May 2007
By Ansley Ng Singapore - A new way to bury the dead — one that saves space and presents a neater look — will be implemented in all sections of the Choa Chu Kang cemetery by the year's end. The new burial system involves concrete beams and walls installed in graves, forming a crypt that can be reused when a body is exhumed after 15 years. Once lowered into the grave, the coffin or body will be covered with soil, before a grass-covered concrete lid is used to seal the grave. Each crypt measures 2.89m by 1.52m and is 1.8m deep. This new method will keep the 318ha cemetery open for fresh burials up to 2130. Under the old system of soil burials, the existing land in the cemetery would have lasted only until 2046. Graves have to be spaced 45cm apart to prevent them from sinking or shifting due to soil erosion. But the new system saves space, since graves are only 15cm apart separated by thin concrete slabs. The new method will also make it easier for those attending burial ceremonies. Previously, people had to track through mud in rainy weather. Under the new system, the area surrounding the grave will be flat and covered with grass. "The use of the concrete slabs is a lot neater and gives a more dignified burial process," said Mr S Satish Appoo, director of the Environmental Health Department at the National Environment Agency (NEA). Pavilions with wheelchair-friendly paths have also been built. Currently, 12,100 crypts — which should satisfy demand for three to seven years — have been prepared and eventually, the entire cemetery will be converted to the new burial system, which is also used in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Australia and the United Kingdom. The NEA said burial costs would stay put at $315 per plot for religions where burial is compulsory and $940 for religions that do not mandate burial. Under the 15-year burial policy, bodies have to be exhumed to free up space. For religions that forbid cremation, such as Judaism and Islam, the deceased will be re-interred in a crypt with seven others. Empty crypts will be left vacant for three years before they are reused. The NEA went ahead with the new plan after consulting various religious organisations. Mr Mohd Murat, director for Islamic development at the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore, said: "The system met the guidelines specified by the Fatwa Committee in 2001 and is in line with the requirements of the Islamic burial system." Secretary General of the Singapore Buddhist Federation, Venerable Seck Kwang Phing, said: "The land saved will not only benefit our nation and future generations of the departed one — this is also a meritorious deed done for the departed one." http://www.todayonline.com/articles/187290print.asp

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Taphophilia?

taphophilia (taf′ō-fil′ē-ă)

ORIGIN:
From the Greek words taphos, meaning "tomb" or "sepulcher" and philia, meaning "attraction or affinity to something, in particular the love or obsession with something"

DEFINITION: 1. An excessive interest in graves and cemeteries. 2. A love or fondness for funerals, graves, and cemeteries. 3. In psychiatry, a morbid attraction to graves and cemeteries