Heavy rains flood Rehoboth cemetery, grieving families left to repair damaged graves

HEAVY rains at Rehoboth have caused flooding at cemeteries, leading to damaged and collapsed graves that families now have to repair.

Resident Neels Lawrence on Friday said the Rehoboth cemetery is often flooded when it rains.

He said several graves are currently flooded and collapsed.

“It is always sad for friends and family to see the grave of a loved one flooded or damaged. Loved ones have to come together to fix what was broken,” Lawrence said.

He said for many people, going to a loved one’s grave is an important part of the grieving process – a place where people reflect on happy memories, share thoughts and feelings, and simply feel closer to the person they have lost.

Belinda Titus on Friday said it is expensive to repair gravesites. Two of her relatives’ sites need repairing after this week’s rains, she said.

“Family and friends now have to come together to fix it. We can’t leave it just like that. It’s always hard work, but we have to show respect, love and care to those who died.

“I believe it is the right thing to do,” she said.

Elroy Farmer urged the public to make sure their loved ones’ graves are intact.

“Keeping your loved one’s gravesite clean and orderly shows that you honour them and their final resting place,” he said.