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  • Private Cemetery

    Finding Peace and Permanence: A Guide to Private Cemeteries in South Africa

    In recent years, many South Africans have turned to private cemeteries as a preferred choice for laying their loved ones to rest. Unlike overcrowded or poorly maintained municipal cemeteries, private memorial parks offer a dedicated, serene, and secure environment for remembrance.

    Several major groups operate private cemeteries across the country, with branches in key cities like Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Bloemfontein, and Durban. In this post, we will explore the leading providers, their locations, and the compelling reasons for choosing a private resting place.

    Why Choose a Private Cemetery?

    The decision often comes down to four key factors: security, maintenance, location, and peace of mind.

    1. Security: Sadly, crime and vandalism have affected even sacred spaces. Private cemeteries typically invest in perimeter fencing, access control, regular patrols, and sometimes even 24-hour surveillance. This provides families with the crucial assurance that their loved ones’ gravesites are protected, allowing for peaceful mourning without added worry.
    2. Upkeep and Maintenance: One of the most noticeable differences is the level of care. Private cemeteries employ dedicated groundskeeping staff to maintain lawns, trim hedges, clean tombstones, and ensure the entire environment is pristine and litter-free. This perpetual care ensures the memorial park remains a beautiful and dignified place for generations.
    3. Convenience and Location: Many private memorial parks are strategically situated within or closer to major cities and towns, reducing travel time for visiting families. This is in contrast to some older municipal cemeteries that may be on the outskirts.
    4. Aesthetic and Serene Environment: With a focus on landscape architecture, these parks are designed as tranquil havens. They often feature gardens, water features, and thoughtful landscaping that create a comforting atmosphere for reflection and remembrance.

    Leading Private Cemetery Groups in South Africa

    Here are two of the major providers, along with their locations:

    • Their Sites Include: Fourways (Johannesburg), Nasrec (Johannesburg), Enkuthazweni (Mpumalanga), Durbanville (Cape Town), Bloemfontein, and Rustenburg.

    Calgro M3 Memorial Parks


    Calgro M3 is renowned for developing integrated residential projects, and their memorial parks follow the same ethos of quality and community. They promise “safe, serene, beautiful surroundings” where families can honour their loved ones in a secure and aesthetically pleasing environment.

    Avbob / Icebolethu Group

    As a long-standing funeral services provider, the Avbob Group (which includes Icebolethu Group in KwaZulu-Natal) offers an extensive network of private burial spaces. They provide an all-inclusive solution, often linking funeral services with burial or cremation options in their own memorial parks.

    • Their Reach: They have a significant national footprint. Beyond the major metros, they operate cemeteries in many smaller towns across various provinces, making their services widely accessible.

    Other Notable Providers

    • Guardian Memorial Parks: Part of the Guardian Group, they offer private burial and cremation memorial parks with a strong emphasis on perpetual care and family legacy.
    • Masterskulpt / Stone Art Memorials: While primarily monumental masons, some of these larger firms also develop and manage exclusive, high-end private family cemeteries or sections within larger parks.

    Choosing a final resting place is a deeply personal decision. For those seeking guaranteed care, lasting security, and a beautiful environment for visitation, private cemeteries in South Africa present a valuable and growing option. It is advisable to contact these providers directly to discuss available plots, costs, and the specifics of their perpetual care plans to find the right fit for your family’s needs.

  • Tombstone Sizes

    A Guide to Tombstone Sizes, Permissions, and Installation Requirements

    At PERFECT MEMORIALS TOMBSTONE, we’re here to help you honor your loved ones with dignity and care. Installing a tombstone is a meaningful process, but it’s important to follow the rules and regulations set by the City of Johannesburg which are similar to other municipalities and the specific cemetery where the tombstone will be placed. Below, we’ve outlined everything you need to know about tombstone sizes, permissions, and installation requirements.

    PLEASE NOTE THAT WE ARE NOT THE OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPALITY, WE ARE A TOMBSTONE INSTALLATION COMPANY.

    Tombstone Sizes

    The size of a tombstone depends on the type of grave and the cemetery section. Here are the general guidelines based on the City of Johannesburg bylaws:

    Lawn Section

    • Adult graves:
      • Headstone base: Maximum 900mm (length) x 260mm (width).
      • Height: No part of the memorial may exceed 1,500mm above the berm.
    • Child graves:
      • Headstone base: Maximum 610mm (length) x 260mm (width).
      • Height: No part of the memorial may exceed 1,500mm above the berm.

    Memorial Section

    • Adult graves:
      • Maximum dimensions: 2,500mm (length) x 1,050mm (width).
    • Child graves:
      • Maximum dimensions: 1,500mm (length) x 900mm (width).

    Landscape Section

    • Memorial work must not exceed 500mm (length) x 500mm (width) x 30mm (thickness).
    • Memorials must be embedded horizontally at ground level.

    Permissions and Application Process

    Before installing a tombstone, you must obtain the necessary permissions. Here’s what you need to know:

    1. Application for Memorial Work:
      • Submit a completed application form to the officer-in-charge at least 5 working days before the intended installation date.
      • Memorial work may only be erected during working hours, unless special approval is granted.
    2. Written Consent:
      • You must have written consent from the officer-in-charge to:
        • Erect memorial work or bring materials into the cemetery.
        • Remove memorial work for additional inscriptions or alterations.
        • Install a tombstone on a Saturday, Sunday, or public holiday.
    3. Compliance with Bylaws:
      • Memorial work must be made of durable materials approved by the South African Bureau of Standards, with a life expectancy of at least 25 years.
      • Inferior, indecent, or non-compliant memorials may be prohibited or removed by the Council without compensation.

    Installation Requirements

    The City of Johannesburg has strict guidelines for tombstone installation to ensure safety and uniformity. Key requirements include:

    1. Foundation and Base:
      • Memorial work must be securely attached to a base with cement mortar.
      • The base for a single memorial must be at least 900mm (length) x 220mm (width) x 250mm (thickness).
      • For double memorials, the base must be at least 2,286mm (length) x 200mm (width) x 250mm (thickness).
    2. Joining and Securing:
      • Use copper or galvanized iron pins to join parts of the memorial:
        • For memorials up to 500mm in height: Pins must be 5mm thick and 100mm long.
        • For memorials 501mm to 1,000mm: Pins must be 10mm thick and 200mm long.
        • For memorials 1,001mm and higher: Pins must be 20mm thick and 300mm long.
    3. Ground Level:
      • Flat memorials and bases must be sunk at least 50mm below the natural ground level.
    4. Cleanup:
      • All surplus materials and rubble must be removed immediately after installation.

    Additional Guidelines

    • Inscriptions:
      • The grave number assigned by the officer-in-charge must be displayed on the memorial in permanent and visible markings.
      • The name of the maker, designer, or erector may appear at the base of the memorial.
    • Dismantling or Altering Memorials:
      • Only the holder of private rights or an authorized person may dismantle or alter memorial work, with written permission from the officer-in-charge.
      • Dismantled memorials must either be removed from the cemetery or left on the grave.
    • Council Liability:
      • The Council is not liable for damage to memorials caused by subsiding soil.

    Important Notes

    • Cemetery-Specific Rules: Each cemetery may have additional requirements, so always confirm with the cemetery management.
    • Professional Installation: We recommend using professional services (like ours!) to ensure compliance with all bylaws and regulations.
    • Plan Ahead: Obtaining permissions and approvals can take time, so start the process early to avoid delays.

    If you have any questions or need assistance with tombstone design, sizing, or installation, feel free to contact us at. We’re here to help you honor your loved ones with dignity and care.