I await with great anticipation the results of Necker Island BVI Limited’s application “to use his/her property Virgin Gorda East” as a private cemetery.

 

My husband, Ed, 80, and I, 76, who received our residency and have owned our home for 36 years in Leverick Bay, applied for the same designation more than a decade ago.

We followed every instruction provided by agencies in the Virgin Islands government, through three administrations. We advertised as required and received approval — and then were denied approval. Neighbours objected. We were then informed that the government made an error in approving the application in the first place.

We were advised to seek space in the North Sound Cemetery. We did and met again with every representative responsible for determining approval.

At one meeting in the cemetery, Ms. “X” took out a Polaroid camera to take a picture of my husband and me.

“Should we lay down?” I asked

We were both ten years younger. I’m not certain if we could get back up from the ground as easily today!

Hebrew faith

Our Hebrew faith requires certain burial stipulations.

1. The ground must be sanctified in our faith by a rabbi.

2. The burial area must have a divider from the rest of the cemetery — a short wall or gate surrounding it.

3. The coffin must touch the earth: Hence, only part of the grave will be above ground. We cannot bury one grave atop another.

4. Cremation is not a choice. Autopsy is forbidden.

5. Whenever possible we must be buried within 24 hours and not on the Sabbath. Thus, all burial preparations must be in place.

No one knows the day of his/her death, say all our clergy at funerals. We have been blessed with more than the three score and ten. Thus far, the Lord is waiting patiently for us.

A ‘perfect home’

We had asked for a 40-by-60-foot space in the North Sound cemetery. We wanted to be amongst our friends. We were shown a small area in the far corner of the cemetery, a perfect “home.”

Last year, I received a call from a representative with whom we had been working. She asked who would pay for the wall. I assured her that we would, and that we also would assume responsibility for any other expenses.

I believed that finally our old bones were guaranteed a resting place.

Shortly thereafter, we received word that we would not be allowed to be buried in the North Sound cemetery. Nor would government sell us any property adjacent to the cemetery. We were advised to seek a private parcel in Virgin Gorda for burial.

Our ad seeking a private parcel is still in the Beacon.

Ed and I are cheering for approval of Necker Island’s application.

Perhaps then the cemetery gates will re-open for us.

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