Cemetery

Treasure Beach Forum: TB Runnin's: Cemetery
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Earl Moxam on Thursday, August 19, 2010 - 06:56 pm: Edit Post

I once again raise the matter of Treasure Beach not having a cemetery. It is something that is not given much consideration by most people as an important development issue; but indeed it is!

How much longer will the people of Treasure Beach continue to bury their loved ones in "the family plot" without giving consideration to the day when this will no longer be feasible or when the authorities step in and decree that it be stopped?

Some may argue that if the authorities were to decree that the current practice be stopped then they would have to make adequate provision for alternative burial sites. That might be so, but the government could decide that a "satisfactory" burial site is located several miles away from this community, and they would have the power of the law on their side.

The better route therefore would be for the people of Treasure Beach to come together now and determine for themselves what is a suitable site for a community cemetery and seek to acquire it for that purpose.

There are various approaches that could be pursued to finance such a major project. One feasible method would be for all the churches in the wider Treasure Beach community to pool their resources and make a joint purchase. They could then apportion sections of the property to each church for the purpose of burying their particular members and relatives of these members and charge a separate fee for non members.

On the other hand, a separate area could be reserved for persons who have no church affiliation or who do not wish to be identified with a particular denomination. That purchase could be done by the Parish Council and a fee paid to the Council by the relatives of the deceased.

A specific Burial Society or Scheme could also be set up to establish the cemetery and lay down rules for its operation.

Another option is to encourage a private developer to establish the cemetery. As morbid as it might sound to some, this is actually a very viable business!

Finally, the Parish Council ought to see this as one of its main responsibilities to the community and could pursue it accordingly. It would certainly be a good revenue source for the Council if properly done. I am mindful that the present Mayor has an interest in this issue but the Council has many priorities on its hands. The community should not necessarily await a timely solution to this problem from others if it can come up with one for itself, bearing in mind that there are so many other communities in St. Elizabeth with the same problem to be addressed by the Parish Council.

Let me reiterate that a cemetery does not have to be a dreary place. It can be a major point of interest, being a source of community and family history, and if properly and attractively laid out, would quickly become a destination point in Treasure Beach, as long as it is treated with respect.

Whatever is to be done, bear in mind that such is the pace of development in Treasure Beach that in another ten years (if so long) the community might no longer have the option of doing what I'm recommending since a property of that size may no longer be available. It is therefore time, I believe, to get together and formulate an action plan.

I know there are some people who will argue that even now we have passed the time when large parcels of land should be reserved for burials and that we should move on to more modern solutions such as cremations or stacking etc.

Realistically, however, Treasure Beach is not anywhere near that point, culturally. The first step therefore is to get the people accustomed to the idea of moving away from the 'family plot' solution and having an acceptable resting place for their loved ones within their own community.

The very pace of development which I mentioned earlier will ensure that very soon many of the tombs that are scattered in numerous 'yards' throughout the community will be uprooted by the new property owners who are moving into the community. Some will preserve these tombs out of a sense of respect for the dead but many others will find them an inconvenience obstructing their plans for the property and will demolish them.

The solution, I reiterate, is for collective community action now, before that option is also taken away.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jeremy Buchanan on Friday, August 20, 2010 - 07:27 am: Edit Post

Earl you have my vote i hope the people of Treasure Beach will move Quick on this one what a good idea respect Jeremy Buchanan


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Agree with Earl Moxam on Friday, August 20, 2010 - 01:17 pm: Edit Post

Excellent idea. I have no doubt some people buying land will choose to dig up the tombs of loved ones. This would be a sin. This problem needs to be addressed NOW.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Andrew Murray on Friday, August 20, 2010 - 04:05 pm: Edit Post

Eloquently said, Mr. Moxam, as ever.

May I suggest a slightly different approach? Perhaps the area churches could pool their resources to acquire not one large parcel but instead several smaller parcels; one parcel to be acquired by each church, each with the financial assistance of the other churches. This would operate in much the same way as the traditional Jamaican "partner" savings scheme does, but with the added benefit of having the Parish Council guarantee the repayment of any borrowed funds which may be needed.

The benefit of each church owning and operating a separate smaller cemetary is that the responsibility for the upkeep of each cemetary would be specifically assigned to an organisation whose members have a vested interest in maintaining it to a high standard. A government-maintained cemetary is an oxymoron.

Further, this will minimise any contention over the rules governing who may be buried in each cemetary, what ceremonies will be permitted to be conducted there, and what fees are appropriate to be charged to families wishing to use each cemetary.

Also, each smaller cemetary can hopefully be more easily maintained than a larger one.

One appreciates that a larger parcel will typically be less expensive per square foot than will several smaller parcels with an aggregate area equal to the one larger parcel. If therefore a larger parcel can be identified, perhaps the ideal compromise is that the churches combine to acquire it, subdivide it such that each church gets a dedicated cemetary, but with appropriately sized walkways and green space separating each church's cemetary from the others.

Experience of the pace of development of public works in other communities must surely dictate that to wait on the Parish Council to spearhead such a project is inadvisable.

On a lighter note, if a developer DID manage to develop a cemetary which proved to be viable, I for one would avoid it after dark!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fabian on Friday, August 20, 2010 - 11:11 am: Edit Post

I too have been advocating for this project for a long time.You have some wonderful proposals and it is now left to the people of Treasure Beach to get things moving.Thanks Earl.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Raymond James on Friday, August 20, 2010 - 01:19 pm: Edit Post

This is an excellent idea that the residents of Treasure Beach should embrace readily. Backyard burials belong to a past era, and I can think of an ideal location that if available could be easily converted to a cemetary. The land is presently owned by the Gilpin family and is called Ginny Pond. It has good acerage, is arable, and on the main road. Some enterprizing local person could start up a good business there. Government does not have to fund this, but their permission has to be sought.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Don on Friday, August 20, 2010 - 10:09 am: Edit Post

The "authorities", Maypen cemetery is in the heart of kgn were these people are and look at its condition, brush and everything else. Persons go there and do what they feeel like to do, and don't even mention others throughout jamaica a disgrace..so wat you all trying look revenue fi di government, treasurebeach people will have to buy spot to bury dem dead..."why people a try so hard fi "sell out" little treasurebeach, bout development,development, chat bout di country that the politician dem mash and can get fix back, and all a call crime a "monster",it sweet mi, a collect gas tax fi fix road a spain and kgn talk bout that....treasurebeach is known as a fishing community not tourism go negril fi yu all want to do tourism, try help di fishermen, "how much little yute a treasurebeach can cut, pin or fit a "fish pot", non, every man a run go abroad... If a dead revenue fi help di parish council [edited by TB.Net]...peace....


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Frenchman Girl on Friday, August 20, 2010 - 10:26 pm: Edit Post

Don - I totally agree with you! I have several acres of land, why should I have to go buy land to bury my dead on?. That being said I hear what Earl and the others are saying, but buoy nuff people na go a dat de cemetery after dark. Treasure Beach people love them dead people mek dem keep dem in a dem yard till de slack Government come up with a plan. They had to clean up the one in Kingston to bury Miss Lou it was a disgrace. May the dead rest in peace.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By change sports park to cemetery on Saturday, August 21, 2010 - 05:00 am: Edit Post

Where the Sports Park is now allocated for would be ideal for a cemetery.
And the Sports Park could be on the land, on the way to Great Bay, which the Gilpin family donated a few years ago for that reason.
Which would alleviate "outsiders" coming into the heart of Treasure Beach for sports events, which inevitably would lead to disruption in the way of noise, traffic, and exposure to possible thefts.
A cemetery there would be protected, surrounded by homes of their living loved ones.
Now that would be a huge gift to the community of Treasure Beach.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By From yard on Friday, August 20, 2010 - 10:34 pm: Edit Post

How about opening a Cremation only parlour? and start cremating the dead 3 days after death! what's with the 3 weeks at a funeral parlour? we need to get away from some old tradition for real!! These caskets cost too much money and it's becoming a show. In my time people use to cry over dead now it's a big celebration. You can't get the time off a work then don't bother coming, mi na pay to mek the parlour man richer. Glad you love me family but it a cost me for your respect.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Earl M on Saturday, August 21, 2010 - 02:35 pm: Edit Post

Andrew, I appreciate all that you have said. The section that grabs my attention most, however, is the excerpt quoted below:

"If therefore a larger parcel can be identified, perhaps the ideal compromise is that the churches combine to acquire it, subdivide it such that each church gets a dedicated cemetary, but with appropriately sized walkways and green space separating each church's cemetary from the others."

The churches in the community do get along, without there being a particularly strong ecumenical movement. This might be the ideal opportunity for them to come together and work on a major project, in the interest of the entire community. Who knows; the experience might even lead to some other joint projects from which 'the living' might benefit as well!

It amazes and saddens me, by the way, how few of the graves of our forebears of a few generations ago in Treasure Beach are still standing, or if they are still there, on which the personal details are now visible.

By that I mean, the graves of those persons who died before 1900 or in the early decades of the 20th century. I remember as a small boy seeing some of these graves which were built with weaker building materials than those which are available today and which, over time, simply crumbled due to weathering and were not maintained or restored by the very children or grandchildren of those who were buried in these tombs.

But over time, sentiments die as well, and with no family member being specifically responsible or with the sale of the property on which the grave is located, the tomb simply disappears and then in due course the very location of the tomb is lost.

Contrast that with church yard burials. Where there is specific responsibility in such circumstances for the care and upkeep of the graves that vital piece of family and community history is preserved. You can visit many church cemeteries in Jamaica today and see details of persons buried centuries ago.

The closest to that in the Treasure Beach area is the small cemetery at St. Peter's Anglican Church.

By the way, Andrew, I didn't figure you for a man who would fear any shadow "after dark!"


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Love TB on Saturday, August 21, 2010 - 01:50 pm: Edit Post

I do agree with the intentions here but,I was wondering where is/are the properties in or around TB big enough for this undertaken.Well as Raymond just mentioned that sounds good but I was thinking about the property where the sport center was supposed to be.

On the other hand I will agree with DON.
The people of TB has the right to bury their dead on their own land and when there is no more land then I would say Cremation...Cremation..Build a Crematory and all problems solved.
We all know the Lawyers are reading this and licking their fingers because they only see the "MONEY" that will be in this for them.

Do not forget that Vaults can be built on top of each other so let us think of going that route and then we will not run out of room for the next one HUNDRED YEARS.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By sentry on Saturday, August 21, 2010 - 10:42 pm: Edit Post

Earl raised a point that has been on my mind for a few years. I've been concerned about future burial sites as each successive generation is bequeathed ever dwindling portions of land. The logical conclusion is that there won't be anywhere left to bury the dead.

I won't mention any particular piece of land out of respect for owners' rights and privacy, but there are a few large enough properties still available for a decent sized cemetery. I have already chosen to go the way of the Vikings, but for those of us who prefer the bone yard, there will have to be a change in culture.

It was only last week that I became aware of the long funeral home stay for our dearly departed. I wonder if the bereaved family members are being suckered by the Funeral Home operators. Seems to me that this long delay, in addition to the live music and what not, amounts to taking advantage of poor people who only want to do right for their loved ones. Miss Eena on Dulcimena used to say "what a condition!"


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By mnken on Saturday, August 21, 2010 - 07:11 pm: Edit Post

Don't forget that lawyers die too.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By My Feelings on Sunday, August 22, 2010 - 07:08 am: Edit Post

A community cemetery would be a wonderful thing. People could go there to pay their respects to their relatives, and the entire thing could look quite beautiful so long as it is carefully maintained. I believe the the sports park land is subject to occasional flooding and this is not something desirable for a cemetery.

If relatives cannot see the tombstones as if they may not visit the graves so I would not suggest stacking graves.

If someone is cremated, their cremains are normally placed in an urn in an above ground vault, with one vault stacked on top of another. Each one has a marker for easy identification and can easily be seen by relatives and other visitors.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By abcde. on Monday, August 23, 2010 - 12:18 pm: Edit Post

I totally disagree,we dont need NO CEMETERY in treasure beach.People bury their dead relative where they want to and if at the end of the day they want to sell them out that is their business.When I die I want be buried in my mommy and daddy BACKYARD.

[edited by TB.Net]


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By meex on Monday, August 23, 2010 - 03:33 pm: Edit Post

Love TB is right. No land for this big an undertaken then of course go the Cremation way.
When you are dead you are dead. Buried in the ground on top of the ground or cremation should be the last thing of concern.
Just live a good happy decent life and pray your soul goes to heaven when that time rolls around.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Thinker on Monday, August 23, 2010 - 06:25 pm: Edit Post

All societies evolve and it is happening here in Jamaica as anywhere else.

There was a time in the old 'wild' American West, when people could do as they pleased in respect of so many matters, including burying one's dead in the backyard, front yard etc. Over time, however, order was instilled and laws established to ensure proper development; and that included new burial guidelines and schemes.

Like it or not, therefore; the day will come when communities such as Treasure Beach will no longer be free to bury their dead wherever they wish.

I believe it is better to take steps now and achieve something more pleasing to the community than await the intervention of the government down the road when the available options might not be as satisfactory.

Anyway, that's one man's view.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By bob on Monday, August 23, 2010 - 09:35 pm: Edit Post

So what happems when mommy and daddy sell their land, and you can no longer visit the gravesite of your loved ones? Won't have this issue in a cemetery.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Oldtimer #1 on Tuesday, August 24, 2010 - 09:09 am: Edit Post

I wish people would just "get with the times". The problem with us Jamaicans is that we want to have things our way at all times. There must be law and other and that is why we have legislators. I am endorsing that a cemetery is necessary.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By abcde. on Tuesday, August 24, 2010 - 01:16 pm: Edit Post

Becca was there no truth to what I stated and I am sure it was not violent...........so y edit it?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By from treasure beach on Tuesday, August 24, 2010 - 12:29 pm: Edit Post

i totaly agree with you oldtimer we realy need a cemetery in around treasure beach. i will vote for that.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By VLC on Wednesday, August 25, 2010 - 09:11 am: Edit Post

Now that the topic of a Cemetery in TB is so hot, may I suggest moving forward and form a committee with the interested locals and get all the churches and businesses in the community involved… no need to allow the enthusiasm and interest shown, to “ die” at this point.

Earl Moxam I am pushing you forward ..its time to send out a flyer and invite all the people who are interested in this project to have a meeting, then form your committee. This is a positive project.
There is no place like home..


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By I am poor on Wednesday, August 25, 2010 - 02:02 pm: Edit Post

I guess when we talk about a cemetery we do not give proper consideration to the fact that a family plot is free, cemeteries aren't! The dynamics of a country like Jamaica may not be able to support cries for a cemetery. In an area such as Treasure Beach, with mounting funeral costs, why add another charge to the already grieving family? There are those of us who are poor, but our ancestors left us family plots which we fully intend to utilize. It is good when we talk from a pedestal, but we need to remember the people who are displaced and cannot afford to be buried in a cemetery! Or may I suggest a cemetery for paupas like me!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Thinker on Wednesday, August 25, 2010 - 04:06 pm: Edit Post

To 'I am Poor': There are already some persons who do not have a spot of 'family land' for themselves. Where will they be buried if in the long term there isn't a community cemetery?

Bear in mind as well that the size of land available to families is rapidly dwindling. So, for example, 100 years ago a man might have had 20 acres of land. He had 10 children and shared it equally among the 10, which meant that each of them got two acres. Let's say they in turn had six children each, which meant that two acres now had to be further divided into six pieces.

You can see that by the third or fourth generation there is hardly any land left for the next set of children to built houses, let along bury their dead.

The problem is that in many instances the original owner of that 20 acres would not have set aside a burial plot for all his descendants. That's not how the family culture in Treasure Beach has developed. Each splinter of the original family is expected to make provision for its own burials, so you have a few graves scattered on each parcel of land. If families had been more cooperative by now you would have had one central burial plot in which dozens of family members from several generations would have been laid to rest.

With the size of individual family lands dwindling rapidly therefore the only viable solution, in my opinion, is to quickly identify a large enough property for a community cemetery, or (if the authorities allow) a few smaller cemeteries, perhaps operated by particular church groups.

Like it or not, the days of the 'family plot' are coming to an end, whether out of sheer necessity brought on by the disappearance of enough space, or because the government finds it appropriate for good governance and orderly development.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Aspirant on Thursday, August 26, 2010 - 03:25 pm: Edit Post

That's a very clear depiction of the phenomenon known as fragmentation, thank you "Thinker".

The other answer to "I am Poor" is that the cost of interment in a cemetery (which need not be prohibitive, and could in part, be means-based) would in all likelihood be a fraction of the diminution in value of family land which has been used for a gravesite. One must compare the one-time cost of a cemetery burial with the ongoing loss in value, factoring in not only the depressed potential sale price, but also the value of the land for collateral security purposes, if ever the family might need a loan for educating a child, starting a business, health care for ailing family, or (ironically) funeral and testamentary expenses for deceased family.

Also, one loses flexibility in the use which can be made of the land, as it becomes less suitable for long-term residential lease, short-term vacation lease, restaurant, farming, etc.

So it is a case of paying now, or paying more (or having one's descendants pay more) later.

That said, any communal burial scheme would need to make provision for burying those who need financial assistance.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By I am poor on Thursday, August 26, 2010 - 08:42 am: Edit Post

There has been talk in Government circles about a ban on 'family plots'. Could this be the reason for this sudden authority on cemeteries vis a vis family plots? The question of affordability has still not been addressed. Where will paupas like me be laid to rest if not in my family plot? One can take the point of persons not owning a scrap of land for burial, but has this not been the case for centuries? Should objectivity in writing not cover all the points that could come up? I can also accept that the church has a role to play, but have they not been doing that? Like it or not, "good governance and orderly development" must take into consideration all the facts and how this will affect the people who are most vulnerable. In drafting the laws of a country, the rights of individuals should not trampled on under the title of "good governance and orderly development". "Good governance and orderly development" must consider the rights of the people of the land. Thankfully, the Legislators themselves are very aware of this fact. The people of Treasure Beach has the right to consider a cemetery, and they should go ahead an do that if they wish, it should however, not remove the right of individuals to be buried in their family plot. Thinker, may I humbly suggest that you do some research and cover all the bases. I was merely trying to add some balance. You would do well to put it all in proper context.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Logical on Sunday, August 29, 2010 - 06:24 pm: Edit Post

Hiring live bands from outside to perform at set-ups and laying on feasts for the set-up and after the funeral are recent phenomena in the Treasure Beach culture. In the old days virtually everyone in attendance at set-ups would join in the singing of sankeys, led melodiously by master trackers such as 'Basil Bully' ('Maas Bas'; or Country and Western style songs and gospel numbers would be performed by talented singers and musicians who would render this service throughout the night, as long as their lips were 'kept wet' by an abundant supply of white rum and black coffee!

Who remembers those days (or nights) enjoying the playing of acoustic guitars and banjos and the rhumba box by those talented musicians?

I certainly have no problem with those who can afford the additional costs these days for the feasts and live bands, and wish to do so. That is their right. I would hope, however, that others would not feel pressured by community expectations to undertake these additional and unnecessary expenditures.

I say that, to make the point that the day might come when a choice will have to be made between laying on feasts, hiring bands etc and paying for a burial spot in a cemetery.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By murnel on Monday, August 30, 2010 - 11:29 am: Edit Post

Well said Logical. I could not agree more.
Maybe in the future Treasure Beach Residences will wake up and "smell the coffee" as the saying goes.
In this bad economy with no help in site I'm sure things will change.
I have walked in those shoes on several occasions,made some mistakes with the first but then did the others I think, like it was done in the Good Old Days as we love to call it.

It is a costly Event just to do the basics, why do extras that serve no purpose whatsoever and then on top of all that some people show no compassion by complaining as if it was a paid affair.
This is a time of sadness and grief for the families of the deceased,so in my eyes I personally would like to go back in time on this one.
In saying all this I do respect each and everyone in doing what pleases them.

Logical, I do not know who you are but I'm certainly in your corner.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Memory Lane on Monday, August 30, 2010 - 12:29 pm: Edit Post

Logical and Murnel, I could not agree with you more. I see no sense in all this merry making event. It should be a time of sadness and reflection for the families of the deceased. Heaven forbid if you don't do the same for your loved ones, then you won't hear the end of it how you stingy. I couldn't care less what they want to think and say if I don't provide a feast and live band, because all they come to do is eat and talk about who out did you. On the other hand, you have the older folks who will tell you straight up, that they don't agree with this feast and they don't want it when they do go. I think as part of the death announcements families should start to include the following, "There will be no feast and band provided or vendors allowed". I really enjoyed the good old days and how set ups were done, and wish we would all go back to them.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Embarrassed on Monday, August 30, 2010 - 06:21 pm: Edit Post

One thing that sickens me is how the funeral homes get people when they are most vulnerable. I have been to one in the area with the husband of a woman who died and even though I did my best to guide him, he ended up purchasing a casket that was well more than he could afford because he was shamed into thinking that what he first had in mind was not good enough. Meanwhile, I who definitely have more money, purchased a $500 USD casket for my father. I knew he would live on in our memories and the cost of the casket had nothing to do with that. It was only a place for his remains and not his soul.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By aforeign on Monday, August 30, 2010 - 07:44 pm: Edit Post

Can anyone say if it's true that the Funeral Homes are the ones who coerse the families to buy this funeral package with the live bands. In other words, is it an all or nothing deal with the package?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Florida on Tuesday, August 31, 2010 - 06:26 am: Edit Post

I agree with you all on the merry making at setup, my father died a few month ago and we did not any music and I heard it the biggest talk in tb.they do everything the American way why not do the same thing when you have a death in the family,we don't have all that garbage here people don't have the time or money here for that.when you have a death here people bring you food instead.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By N.T on Tuesday, August 31, 2010 - 07:15 am: Edit Post

Cannot be, 'aforeign'!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By murnel ebanks on Tuesday, August 31, 2010 - 11:05 am: Edit Post

I have to address to what ..Aforeign just posted.

I can attest to this that the funeral home I did business with on several occasions never,ever mentioned the word band/music to me.

I would hope this is not the future practice but, if that's the case this is distasteful to me.

Now lets say this is taking place I'm sure family members do not have to accept and can walk away from that Funeral Home and give their business to another that has no such demands.

Please read again. I said "DID" business with.
I know things could have changed since then but hope not.
Bent all the way.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By murnel ebanks on Tuesday, August 31, 2010 - 03:13 pm: Edit Post

I love to correct my own mistakes.
I wrote Residences......sorry, meant Residents.
Instead of stacked I put an o..wake-up Murnel.
Guess it all had to do with my beloved Auntie correcting my spelling and returning my letters to me while I was attending Boarding School.
I was 12 years old then.
I did tell her how thankful I was for those corrections because it helped me to land my first job as Secretary to the Principal of Bethlehem Teachers College, that's what it was called then.

I must say those were the Good Old Days also, and I'm sure proud of it.

Now you know my age.....Proud of that too.....
still looking good....just tooting my own horn.....another saying my Loving Auntie would use back and forth between herself and my former partner Joe.They were fond of each other and surely made each other laughed a lot.
Maybe they are holding hands in Heaven.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Pleased on Saturday, September 04, 2010 - 05:47 pm: Edit Post

An idea, the time for which has come! The community cemetery, that is.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By meex on Monday, September 06, 2010 - 05:16 pm: Edit Post

Find the land and call a meeting to order.I wish you all luck.Just cannot see this happening for many,many years because as the saying goes things move slow like molasses in Jamaica.
I have my family plot just like many others but it will not be used because my request is cremation and whatever my family wishes to do with my (Remains) is fine with me.

My soul will be with the Lord and that's all that matters.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Earl on Friday, June 15, 2012 - 04:54 pm: Edit Post

I've returned to this topic with our political representatives, pointing out that the available landspace is shrinking fast.

The response from both sides of the political fence is positive but given the competing demands for their attention it will probably take an organised lobby to get them to follow through on this one.

Like it or not, the day will come when backyard burials in Treasure Beach will be banned and if the community is not proactive in having a local cemetery established there will be no other option but to have our dead buried a far distance away from home then.

Note, I am referring to the burial option. I know of the alternatives but there will be demand for burials instead of cremation in our neck of the woods (for all kinds of reasons) for the foreseeable future.

In the meantime, we continue to dot the landscape with graves scattered all over the place. It is unsustainable!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Deepblue. on Sunday, June 17, 2012 - 09:44 am: Edit Post

For those who would chose an internment in Davy Jones Locker, what are the laws Earl?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Earl on Monday, June 18, 2012 - 09:32 pm: Edit Post

Deepblue, I'm not sure what current Jamaican law says about the Davy Jones (burial at sea) option but I'll check it out and get back to you. Suffice it to say for the moment that it is hardly likely to be a popular choice for the 'Treasurites'! This community has been so traumatised over the years by the loss of loved ones at and to the sea that the last thing most of them would contemplate is to deliberately lower a relative into its dark and foreboding depth.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Deepblue on Tuesday, June 19, 2012 - 08:34 am: Edit Post

You're right Earl, although some of us salts would welcome the sea claiming our carcass, most of our relativers believe we are our bodies and thus want even a relic nearby, like our Taino did. Bones hung on the rafters, I believe in baskets. Not an option again.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By sunshine on Tuesday, June 19, 2012 - 09:21 am: Edit Post

My little piece. I honestly think that we should have a cemetary also, family should have one family plot. What I do not like is, each time a family member gets a house, a burial ground begins again for the immediate family. I had a friend who sold his hours and had to remove his deceased wife remains. Another cousin, sold his house with his child's remains. Family who have land, make a family plot and let all family member bury there. Along with the graves, come these hugh tombs. I do not like to see it.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By sunshine on Tuesday, June 19, 2012 - 10:45 am: Edit Post

Logical, you are soooooo right! People have to work too hard to throw money in the ground. a decent funeral is all one wants. a year after all the eating and merry making, one cannot visit some of the graves because they are up to the sky in grass. The deceased is remembered more so for the social parade put on at death. Some of those coming to eat, we don't know who they are. funeral should be private--family members only and very close friends. We should stop looking at what others are doing. Some have to work hard for their money, some do not. Those who do not, may not care how much they spend. Stop putting on a show. I think the problem is, some of us who are abroad, use the time of death to meet people who we have not seen for a while, therefore the party begins, and it continues with everyone.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By From yard on Tuesday, June 19, 2012 - 03:07 pm: Edit Post

When Miss Lou died they had to clean the cemetery for a week in Kingston in order for her to be buried there. My 2 cents, some people never buy no land so they have no where to be buried!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By sunshine on Wednesday, June 20, 2012 - 12:21 pm: Edit Post

From yard, please let us be realistic. It is not a matter of who has land and who has not. Some of us do not have the money either to be burried at a cemetery. However, bury you must bury regardless of land or money. Let's stop putting these hugh tombs, and graves on the land.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By From yard on Thursday, June 21, 2012 - 12:32 am: Edit Post

West Indian love them dead people! mi done.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Sunshine on Thursday, June 21, 2012 - 04:22 pm: Edit Post

From Yard, cleaning the cemetary for Ms. Lou's funeral would be expected, due to the high profile people who would attend the funeral. I am sure they wanted the cemetary to look its best for our beloved Ms. Lou. I do not think the people of Treasure Beach and surrounding areas would have the cemetary in bad condition. We would take pride in it, visiting our love ones on birthdays, mothers' day, fathers' day, Sundays, when we feel down etc., we could set an example. How many of us take that pride in the deceased even if the graves are in our back yard?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By turey on Friday, June 22, 2012 - 09:04 am: Edit Post

Met a German lady in TB whose job is caring for the gardens in her local cemetery. She described a place full of beauty and life. She loved her job.

We certainly could agree on a spot and treat it with the love we have for our own.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Realist on Friday, June 22, 2012 - 01:09 pm: Edit Post

Couldn't agree with you more, Turey.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By rebecca on Friday, June 22, 2012 - 10:04 pm: Edit Post

Me too, Turey. I don't get to the cemetery most of my family is buried in often but whenever I get to visit the area I go there and pay my respects. The place where I was born and raised is sold off a few times over and no family remains there but the cemetery where they are laid to reast does remain.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By jenny reynoldsnelson on Saturday, June 23, 2012 - 02:04 pm: Edit Post

As a part of the discussion on burials in Treasure Beach I would like to suggest to any one considering home burial to take a look at the property of the late Neville Reynolds, on the back right corner you will find markers that I thnk was nicely done without being noticable.I do think that the time has come, when public burial sites must be discussed read Thinkers post,lands are disproportionate to the growth of most societies.I hope the people of T.B.will find solutions.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Good Luck on Saturday, June 23, 2012 - 10:21 am: Edit Post

With all said....just find a piece of land if there is anywhere to be found and lets get on with it.

I was one of the first to mention the land where the sports park is now built so where else is there in TB to do this?

Thank God some people wants to be cremated "LIKE ME".

When you are dead you are dead and as long as you know you are right with the Lord that's all that matters.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By A speck of dust on Sunday, June 24, 2012 - 05:53 pm: Edit Post

From way back in Bible times, those who mourn the loss of dead loved ones have shown great care in where and how and when they lay their loved ones to rest. That tradition has prevailed over the years, so perhaps a cemetery will be great. If nothing more, the multiple graves of loved ones might serve as a daily reminder of our own mortality--just a speck of dust. We are a speck of dust....soon to be returned to dust.