Shortage of land lots spurs controversy over reburials, cremation and private cemeteries in Armenia
The shortage of land lots for graves appears to be a problem for the major cities of Armenia.
Speaking to Tert.am, Head of the Urban Development Ministry’s Apartment Fund Department Samvel Srapyan said difficulties exist especially in capital Yerevan, the second largest city of Gyumri and the town of Alaverdi (Lori region).
To provide a partial solution to the problem, the Ministry is now considering the land allotment option, as well as the possibility of organizing reburials.
“The law allows for organizing a reburial in the same cemetery 10-15 years after the funeral. We have not simply developed that tradition, as our population won't perceive that,” he explained.
Srapyan said he thinks that reburials will offer a long-lasting solution, mitigating the demand for new land lots. “The idea is not rejected; it is just misperceived, although it is really a [good] solution. People have no idea as to how it is possible to bury one body over the other, so they prefer to take an extra-land,” he noted.
The official said he knows that very often vast land areas are purchased for just one grave, with many often spending considerable sums to have statues erected.
He added that the restrictive law, adopted in 2006, is very often abused and disrespected. Srapyan noted that the law also contains regulations for private cemeteries (allowing for the use of land lots of 12x2.5 sq. m. per grave). “But that’s violated too, as people appear very skillful to do that,” he added.
Srapyan said they are now considering the amendments to the legislation to establish the state’s authorities in maintaining control over the exploitation of grave lands.
He added that private cemeteries are in the interest of the state despite the professional circles’ continuing arguments that the approach isn’t right.
As for the idea of cremation, Srapyan said it is a widely accepted and practiced method which does not demand the use of lands at all. “I cannot say whether it is right in religious terms, but there is a class of people in the society who are looking forward to having crematories. That too, is a human right to exercise one’s will posthumously. The law does permit it,” he noted.
Commenting on the problem, Priest Tovma Andreasyan said the church admits only the reburials of bodies. According to him, that’s normally a widely accepted practice for graves that haven’t visited for quite a long time after the burial. “Considering the history of the mankind, I don’t think there is any territory today, which didn’t have anyone buried [beneath] before. So a burial on a buried body is possible,” he added.
Instead, the church is strongly against the idea of cremation. “There is an opinion that the Christ’s doomsday has to incorporate his soul and body,” Andreasyan said, adding that the idea can be acceptable only for Protestants.
But the priest added that exceptions can be considered whenever there are difficulties in flying a dead person from a distant country for burial. “But considering the peace of the deceased’s soul, we are against widespread cremations. There are only exceptional cases when we accept that,” he said.
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