A Brakfontein farmer has created an idyllic “Garden of Eden” cemetery on 50ha of rolling, manicured lawns, but despite spending nine years preparing his land for 2000 burial sites, he has yet to get the go-ahead from Buffalo City Metro.
Besides funerals and burials, families would be able to scatter or bury the ashes of their loved ones, and fasten memorial plaques to trees on the property. There would be a separate cemetery for children.
Hayward would also like to build four houses on the scenic property to rent out to guests wanting a quiet break in the countryside.
He said he was prompted to use the land as a private cemetery after burying his 12-year-old daughter, Tara-Lee, who died of a brain tumour in 1999, in the gardens.
“We had nowhere else to bury her so we buried her on the farm.”
Hayward said he had fielded much interest from people wanting to book plots for themselves and their families.
His meticulously tended lawns, which are dotted with 3500 indigenous trees and lush beds of colourful blooms, circle his hilltop farmhouse, and are inspired by similar park-like cemeteries in Australia and New Zealand that he visited on research missions.
He declined to say what he would charge for burial plots.
In Gauteng, Fourways Memorial Park charges R34000 for a grave, R12000 for a tree memorial (ash grave) and R2000 an hour for chapel hire.
BCM spokesman Thandy Matebese replied to queries saying he “did not interact with applicants through third parties”. — barbarah@dispatch.co.za
BCM farmer’s battle to build private burial site
Besides funerals and burials, families would be able to scatter or bury the ashes of their loved ones, and fasten memorial plaques to trees on the property. There would be a separate cemetery for children.
Hayward would also like to build four houses on the scenic property to rent out to guests wanting a quiet break in the countryside.
He said he was prompted to use the land as a private cemetery after burying his 12-year-old daughter, Tara-Lee, who died of a brain tumour in 1999, in the gardens.
“We had nowhere else to bury her so we buried her on the farm.”
Hayward said he had fielded much interest from people wanting to book plots for themselves and their families.
His meticulously tended lawns, which are dotted with 3500 indigenous trees and lush beds of colourful blooms, circle his hilltop farmhouse, and are inspired by similar park-like cemeteries in Australia and New Zealand that he visited on research missions.
He declined to say what he would charge for burial plots.
In Gauteng, Fourways Memorial Park charges R34000 for a grave, R12000 for a tree memorial (ash grave) and R2000 an hour for chapel hire.
BCM spokesman Thandy Matebese replied to queries saying he “did not interact with applicants through third parties”. — barbarah@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos