Riga cemeteries may have space only until around 2035
Burial space in Riga's municipal cemeteries could last until roughly 2035, though promoting cremation may extend that. Gints Zēla said this on TV24.
Free burial plots in Riga's municipal cemeteries could run out around 2035, although that date could be pushed back if burial customs change. Gints Zēla made the comments on the TV24 programme while discussing cemetery issues in the Latvian capital. He also warned that the Artists' Hill (Mākslinieku kalniņš) at Meža Cemetery is nearing capacity for new burials.
An estimate, not a final deadline
Zēla said 2035 is a rough estimate taken from a conceptual report on resolving issues with Riga's municipal cemeteries. In his view, it does not mean the situation cannot be influenced before then.
He said that, thanks to proposals from Riga, the draft cemetery law now includes the option of creating ash scattering areas. Zēla hopes such a solution can be introduced as early as next year. If the public accepts and uses it, demand for new burial plots would fall.
Encouraging cremation
Asked how cremation could be promoted, Zēla first pointed to price. According to the information available to him, another crematorium is planned, and a wider supply could make the service cheaper.
Urn burials could also help keep family graves together: if a classic burial is no longer possible in an existing plot, there may still be room for urns. Rough estimates suggest up to fifty urns could fit in a single plot.
Artists' Hill
Zēla acknowledged that the number of places at Artists' Hill, which was designed with a set capacity, is running low. He believes society should discuss whether it is ready to invest in a new special burial site to continue the tradition of burying well-known public figures together. He stressed that all of this costs money and is not free.
