Durban’s 65 cemeteries are running out of space

Durban is facing a growing shortage of burial space, with many of eThekwini Municipality’s 65 cemeteries nearing or already at full capacity.

The issue was raised by DA eThekwini Community Services Whip Daniel Mea, who received a response to questions submitted to the municipality in May 2026 about available burial space.

Mea said the response highlighted the pressure facing the city’s cemeteries and what he described as a lack of long-term planning to keep pace with population growth.

Durban cemeteries running out of space

According to the municipality, many of eThekwini’s 65 cemeteries are approaching capacity because of increasing demand for burial spaces.

Mea also criticised the municipality for failing to provide a clear estimate of its monthly burial demand, IOL reports.

The municipality said additional land has been identified to expand Newlands Cemetery, while improvements are under way at Ottawa Cemetery. It is also considering land for future cemetery development.

However, Mea said there were no clear timelines for when additional burial infrastructure would be delivered.

Alternative burial methods considered

The municipality is considering alternatives including cremation, mausoleums and vertical burial systems as it looks for ways to manage the shortage of available land.

However, Mea said alternative methods may not meet the religious, cultural and family preferences of all residents.

“Every resident deserves the dignity of being laid to rest in accordance with their religious beliefs, cultural traditions and family wishes,” he said.

The issue comes amid continued population growth. Statistics cited by Mea indicate that approximately 5.4 million people were born in South Africa between 2022 and 2026, while around 2.7 million people died during the same period.