Dear Editor,
One week ago, I visited the cemetery for a close relative’s interment. Editor, there are really no words to accurately describe the state of this cemetery compared to what we find in other more civilised jurisdictions. It must be that improving the state of this place would enhance the spiritual well-being of all who leave a loved one there. In addition, there is no place in Guyana where foreign/returning Guyanese visit more than Le Repentir Cemetery. At my relative’s funeral there must have been about six overseas-based Guyanese. Many more visit Le Repentir and get a first impression of standards in Guyana, that would help them to decide whether or not they would return with some friends as tourists. Just like the state of the city of Georgetown, Le Repentir is a paradox for a country that has a high global ranking in pursuit of environmental priorities.
It follows that managing Le Repentir is far more than just improving a place to bury the dead. Cemeteries in modern countries are far more than that. In York, England, the objectives of the cemetery speak to maintaining the cemetery for the public benefit; proper maintenance of graves, monuments, buildings, landscape; conserving the landscape and natural life of the cemetery for the recreation and pleasure of the public; advancing the education of the public who wish to “study the lives and significance of those buried in York Cemetery… making available information on genealogies, conditions and lifestyles of the inhabitants of York… through the ages… managing a museum.” The objectives speak to demonstrating the history of York.
I would like to urge this new administration (Ministry of Local Government) to quickly use its powers to order into place a new management structure that allows for more participation by civil society. My research shows that well-run cemeteries tend to be managed by a Trust. This is a perfect opportunity for a Trust to be appointed which should of necessity include the ministers and leaders of the Christian community (Guyana Council of Churches and Georgetown Ministers Fellowship) who with members arguably utilise and visit this cemetery more than any other religious denomination. The latter constitute the largest group of stakeholders. In the present instance continued state support would be required to be supported by various contributions from civil society and business ventures implemented by the Trust. Or alternatively, could the ministers and leaders of the Christian community approach the ministry/city council with a proposal to establish and be a part of this Trust?
As an example, in England, the York Cemetery has been owned and run by the York Cemetery Trust in partnership with the Friends of York Cemetery since 1987, in accordance with agreed objectives, which go much beyond the interment of the dead. This cemetery does not receive any funds from the City of York Council or any local authority. One can think of numerous ways of funding a more decent looking cemetery without the Ministry of Local Government or the council hiring a consultant to make recommendations, if it would install a Board of Trustees to manage the affairs of the cemetery.
The first thing the Trust must do is to raise funds for the construction of a building on the site at Le Repentir. This is the most important seed capital that the government or another development partner could provide to the Trust. The building must be able to house a museum and business offices, and establish a modus operandi for collecting storing and making information available to families for a fee, and for accepting donations in a proactive and purposeful manner. Families would be willing to donate artifacts left by loved ones either for sale or for display. It occurs to me that this does not have to wait for local government elections.
Editor, my research reveals to me that across the world independent boards of trustees are becoming very common for maintaining decent cemeteries that can meet the objectives of recreation, pleasure, history and culture. Can we appoint such a Trust to turn around Le Repentir urgently? It’s a disgrace.
Yours faithfully,
Joycelyn Williams