A plot of land has been allocated for a long-awaited new Christian cemetery and now fund-raising plans are set to be launched to cover the cost of more than BD20,000 needed to help make it fit for purpose.
Located in Salmabad, the land has been donated by the government and, measuring 4,526sqm, will provide space for more than 600 burial plots and likely serve the community for around a decade.
The move has come as a blessing for the concerned Christian Cemeteries Committee which has faced a plot crisis since 2014 when the 623rd and final burial plot at the cemetery just over a kilometre away from the new site, was filled following a funeral.
“Firstly, I’m grateful to His Majesty King Hamad and the Government for this generous grant of land for our community,” said committee member The Very Reverend and Venerable Dr Bill Schwartz, Dean of St Christopher’s Cathedral.
“Also, I would admit, I have a sense of relief that a long-standing problem has been solved.”
As a result of bureaucratic delays and with the Covid-19 pandemic taking priority in the past two years, there was little room left to squeeze in any more deceased believers and digging up the footpaths was the only option at the current cemetery established in Gudaibiya in 1901.
“Since 2014 areas formerly given to floral presentation, and areas used as walkways were used for burials,” added Father Bill, as he is known to parishioners.
“In the past couple of years burials have also been placed between older graves which offered sufficient space between them.”
The land donation was announced at a dinner hosted by Dr Shaikh Khalid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, chairman of the board of trustees of King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence in March, 2020, celebrating the visit of Bishop in Cyprus and the Gulf, Michael Lewis, who is also Archbishop of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East.
Unfortunately, the timing could not have been more challenging. “I was invited to follow up in the following days,” said Father Bill, “but the very next day the various stages of Covid-19 restrictions were introduced.
“It was especially difficult for all kinds of procedures involving government approvals etc. with the reconfiguring of work patterns and limitations of meetings of any kind, there were many other pressing issues to be managed.”
The cemetery land allocation was unfortunately, but understandably in the circumstances, delayed.
The pandemic posed even greater problems though on the cathedral, churches, community and the cemetery itself. Services and collections, hall hiring and community fund-raising activities suddenly ceased which wiped out financial reserves and the tragic Covid-19 death toll witnessed a sudden increase in the demand for burial plots.
Burial
“I have no basis to estimate how many die without reference to census-type files but I can say that before Covid-19 there was an average of one burial per month,” explained Father Bill.
“Since Covid-19 that figure has risen to an average of five to eight per month. Very few of those have been Covid-19 deaths, but the legal difficulties involved in repatriating bodies have increased dramatically, and the cost has increased dramatically as well. So, more people are opting to forego repatriating their loved ones.
“Some are Bahraini citizens. Some are non-citizens who have lived here many, many years and whose families are into three generations of living and working here. Some, out of various convictions about burial and resurrection. Some others can’t afford repatriation.”
Receiving the land gift, the value of which has not been revealed, and finally getting all the paperwork through, is cause for celebration.
Over many years the Christian Cemeteries Committee has traditionally been made up of the British ambassador, the dean of St Christopher’s and the treasurer of the St Christopher’s Church Council, and two representatives of Sacred Heart Parish and two representatives of the NEC group of congregations.
“I am very grateful to ambassador Roddy Drummond, who also happens to serve as the ex officio chairman of the Christian Cemeteries Committee, along with the staff of the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence who gave advice and assistance,” added Father Bill.
“Mostly, though, I would mention that His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and his staff were hugely supportive and helpful.”
Sacred Heart Church parish priest Reverend Father Xavier D’Souza added his vote of thanks. “We are grateful to His Majesty King Hamad for his generosity and benevolence, and all his support to the Catholic Church, especially as we’ve received a new plot for a new cemetery.
“It shows an expression of care and concern of His Majesty to all the churches in Bahrain. We remain ever grateful to His Majesty and all the people of Bahrain.”
As reported in the GDN, the largest Roman Catholic cathedral in the Arabian Peninsula – The Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia – opened late last year in Awali.
Mr Drummond said he was glad to support the combined churches as they develop a new cemetery project.
“St Christopher’s dean has ably led the co-ordination, supported by all the other churches, and by my embassy,” he added.
“This is important to many expat communities in Bahrain.
“A generous donation of land from the Bahraini authorities has made this project possible. I’m extremely grateful for that and have conveyed my sincere thanks privately.
“It will need financial and other support from our communities to develop this project and I’m confident this will be forthcoming.
“A cemetery is something we don’t think about until a family member passes on. In the last two years Covid-19 has pushed the issue to the fore, since more people have been buried here because repatriation was impossible. So this is an important long-term project.”
Now all minds are focusing on raising funds to cover the cost of work on the new cemetery site.
“It belongs to the whole Christian community and society of Bahrain,” said Father Bill.
“We’re very grateful indeed for the grant of land, but there are considerable costs involved in developing the land to be used as a cemetery such as constructing the perimeter wall, access and connection to municipal infrastructure.
“We are asking the Christian congregations in Bahrain to help raise the BD20,000-plus needed for the construction. We would also appreciate help from civil society, as businesses and embassies all need the cemetery when one of their people/employees dies and needs burial. It should also be noted that many who die in Bahrain are here without families.”
The first burial in the new cemetery will take place as soon as the construction is complete and the committee has filed all necessary compliance paperwork.
Burials alone are charged at BD250 to help cover the cost of the caretaker’s salary, for digging the graves and upkeep of the property.
St Christopher’s Cathedral administrates the cemetery, oversees the work of the caretaker, and generally manages things in co-operation with the other churches in Bahrain. Plots will not be sold in advance.
The new cemetery will be the third in Bahrain. The first in Bahrain, known as the ‘Old’ cemetery, is in Manama, at the junction of Zubara Avenue and Al Maarif Avenue.
It is believed that the original plot of land for this cemetery was given as a gift by the former Ruler of Bahrain, Shaikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa, in response to a request from the British assistant political agent John Calcott Gaskin.
The first burial was held at the cemetery on July 19, 1901, for Majeed, a child (the son of Amin, a Christian convert) who died as a result of a fall from a roof.
The first recorded military funeral held at the cemetery was for Flight Lieutenant Peter Dabney Heinemann R.N. who died on December 21, 1931, when his ‘flycatcher’ float-plane crashed into the sea whilst machine gunning floating targets as part of a display for local dignitaries.
The final burial in this cemetery took place on December 3, 1966, with the burial of the still born infant son of the Reverend H. E. Franken, an American citizen, who also conducted the burial service.
The cemetery was then closed and the second, now full, cemetery in Salmabad was consecrated.
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