A dedicated area to accommodate the cleansing of a body for burial has been opened at the Mowbray Cemetery.

It also includes a prayer area. These facilities were opened under the Moslem Cemetery Board and Muslim Judicial Council. The area can accommodate one body at a time.

The Moslem Cemetry Board Chairman Faizel Sayed says that this facility is needed as some people might not have facilities at home and this process is easier on the family. The Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) echoed the same sentiment.

However, some have criticised this move, saying that it eats away at the tradition of performing these rites at a home and masjied.

“We need to get out of the mindset that we need to operate like backdoor operators. We need to get out of the mindset that we need to do things on a secondary basis. We should be doing the best we can for our communities and organizations, whether that means that means the best of tiles,  the best of taps and electrics we are going to have to that,” said Sayed.

Meanwhile, the board is working on an online system to make burial and access easier. The City of Cape Town is trying to find ways to help families who cannot afford burial by opening a separate fund. This has only occurred for private burial sites.