Three of city's 16 cemeteries filled to capacity: eThekwini Municipality
The eThekwini Municipality says residents need to start considering cremation as a burial option - as the city's 16 cemeteries are fast reaching their capacity.
Three of Durban's largest cemeteries - eTafuleni in Inanda, Redhill, and Luganda cemetery near Pinetown - have already run out of burial space.
The city says Redhill cemetery is in the process of being shut - while Luganda cemetery will be closed next month.
See also: Cultural group opposes plans to tackle burial space crisis
The Head of Parks, Recreation and Culture Thembinkosi Ngcobo says the city has allocated around R20 million for the establishment of two new crematoriums to be built in the north and south of the city - and closer to townships.
He says they are expecting the crematoriums to be up and running by 2017.
"We still try and look for various space - more especially within the cemetries - so we will try to continue to provide for all cultural and religious requirements, whilst at the same time educate people, because we believe if the normal burial - that is the underground one - is not going to be sustainable in a short to long term," he said.