A new law updates the rules on how cemeteries should be licensed, managed and protected in Montserrat.
The Cemeteries Bill 2024 passed into law on 25 June with all members of the Montserrat Legislative Assembly voting unanimously in favour of it.
On presenting the bill, health minister Charles T Kirnon said, if enacted, the law would update the Burial Grounds Act.
One of the major clauses of the bill is that the governor acting on the advice of the Cabinet is responsible for licensing public or private cemeteries.
It also says no one can bury a body anywhere other than a licensed cemetery, “so you can’t just wake up and decide you’re going to bury people wherever you feel like,” Kirnon said.
The minister went on to say that a board will set up management to have control of the cemeteries, and there will be allotments of religious denomination.
The bill also speaks about procedures to close cemeteries, and says offenders are liable for a fine of $5,000 for the excavation, disturbance or removal of a body.
Anyone who breaks any of the other clauses is committing a summery offence and is liable to be charged with a fine of $2,000, with a further $100 for each day the offence continues.
Maximising space
Opposition member Veronica Dorsette-Hector rose to support the bill and congratulated Tezinia Woodley, the first female funeral director in Montserrat.
Premier Joseph E Farrell, who also gave a speech in support of the bill, said the law is prudent as Lookout Cemetery, which opened over ten years ago, is almost full.
“I believe the minister has intention to expand or to open a new cemetery, so I think it is timely that this bill has come before us,” he said.
Farrell said the time has come to start maximising space because there will not be enough land in the northern part of the island for cemeteries.
He said cremation must be considered because although the population is small “the time has come when we have to think about other ways”.
He also congratulated Tezinia Woodley for completing her studies, which she carried out under a government scholarship.
The bill went through a second reading, the committee stage without amendments, and a third reading before being passed into law.
