Fiji burial grounds nearing capacity

Fiji’s major burial grounds receive 10 to 12 burials daily, prompting urgent calls for land identification as full capacity could be reached within 15 years.

Suva, Tavakubu, Nasinu are currently the major burial grounds. The Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights have raised concerns that burial sites face an existential crisis.  

The committee revealed that land allocated for burial is "quickly diminishing" due to high numbers of deceased persons requiring burial services. 

Statistics presented to Parliament show active burial grounds in Suva, Tavakubu and Nasinu receive 10 to 12 burials daily through the Fiji Corrections Service. 

"For the Suva Cemetery, the portion on the hill was also quickly diminishing, and the whole area allocated for burial was expected to be exhausted," the committee's December report stated. 

The report warned Nasinu cemetery would be fully exhausted within approximately 15 years at current rates. 

The crisis has worsened as landowners around major town areas prove reluctant to release land for burial purposes. 

"It was noted that this type of undertaking actually drove the cost of land in prime areas down," according to submissions received during consultations. 

The iTaukei Land Trust Board has identified potential land in Namosi, though practical challenges remain including the need to establish prison facilities nearby since FCS provides burial labour. 

The report formed part of Parliament's review of the Burial and Cremation (Amendment) Bill 2025, which seeks to modernise the 1911 Act. 

The committee recommended the Ministry of Health take proactive measures to register all burial grounds and ensure proper oversight as Fiji addresses its growing burial crisis. 

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