After months of roadshows engaging residents on its unique approach of allowing only vertical headstones, West Haven Memorial Park will officially open tomorrow, 27 August 2025. Earmarked to service the community of Mindalore and neighbouring areas, the cemetery marks a new chapter in how memorial spaces are designed and preserved.
This development comes as several municipalities in Gauteng face increasing pressure on burial space. By adopting vertical headstones, Mogale City is ensuring that burial space is used responsibly, allowing more residents to be accommodated while improving overall cemetery management.
Beyond saving space, the vertical headstone approach offers several maintenance and safety benefits, including:
- Easier upkeep using ride-on or walk-behind lawnmowers and tractors instead of brush cutters
- Reduced maintenance costs, time, and labour
- Cleaner, neater, and more aesthetically pleasing cemetery grounds
- Improved security within the cemetery
This approach will not only apply to West Haven Memorial Park but will also become the standard for new sections in existing cemeteries as well as all new cemeteries established in Mogale City.
While the municipality acknowledges that this change may be sensitive for some families, it remains committed to ensuring that loved ones are laid to rest in a dignified and respectful manner. Residents are therefore encouraged to embrace the transition as it will provide long-term benefits for families and the municipality, ensuring that burial space is managed sustainably for generations to come.