Legal requirements on cremation in South Africa
At both eMalahleni Crematorium and it’s Waterberg Branch, we comply with all legal standards as set out by law and ordinances in South Africa.
We consistently update our Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) in compliance with any legal procedures. Our staff are trained and sensitised in ensuring adherence to legal and emotional issues.
Operation and production records
We are installing additional abatement systems to ensure that we remain within the emission limits for new plant standards as required by the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, no. 93 of 2004 (from hereon called NEM: AQA):
- Section 21: List of Activities.
- Category 8, Subcategory 8.2: Cremation of Human Remains, Companion Animals (Pets) and the Incineration of Veterinary Waste.
An industry leading second cremator was installed at our Waterberg Branch in Modimolle, designed to accommodate larger bodies (up to 1,2 m wide). The first set of emission tests were completed and the cremator is fully operational.
A third cremator with a separate filter system and the framework was delivered on 4 October 2021. The contractor started the assembly and will be ready for commissioning in approximately three weeks. All three cremators at our Waterberg branch will use diesel as a fuel source.
Normally 600 cremations a month are carried out but during the third wave of Covid 19 about 1800 cremations in a single month were affected by working two shifts, seven days a week.
- We currently have two cremators in eMalahleni using gas as a fuel source and these are completely being refurbished as of 8 October 2021.
2022. We are at the same time installing additional abatement systems to ensure that we remain within the emission limits for new plant standards as required by the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, no. 93 of 2004 (from hereon called NEM: AQA):
- Section 21: List of Activities.
2022. Category 8, Subcategory 8.2: Cremation of Human Remains, Companion Animals (Pets) and the Incineration of Veterinary Waste.
Crematorium Expansion and Measures to Improve Atmospheric Emission Performance
Operational capacity
Unfortunately, Covid 19 has created a major requirement for fast and efficient cremations and during the declared disaster period we have cremated more than double our normal operational capacity.
Our Authorised Emission License (AEL) in eMalahleni has already been amended to allow for an additional cremator, bringing the total to three. We have already initiated the AEL variation process in Modimolle to increase the number of cremators to the initial four cremators that was planned, to ensure that we are able to cope with future waves.
Abatement equipment
We have identified a supplier of additional abatement equipment that is being installed at our branch in eMalahleni. The third cremator being assembled at the Waterberg branch is already fitted with such equipment.
As soon as we have been able to confirm improvement in emission rates, we will also add these to the current equipment. This is already reflected on our AEL variation applications.
Crematorium requirements
We have developed a set of documentation to be used by undertakers when arranging cremations. This will be provided to undertakers once they decide to make use of our services. These are very much in line with the requirements of the law, but additional information is included to ensure a seamless service.
We have a set of rules designed to ensure that we provide all our customers with the best service possible which also forms part of our service agreement. These rules may change from time to time, such as during the Covid 19 pandemic and any changes will be communicated. This is normally provided with the documentation to be completed.
Emissions monitoring
We have contracted a SANAS Accredited Consultant (VR Environmental Consultants) who are well known in the cremation industry, to do emission monitoring surveys on all our cremators at the applicable intervals to ensure compliance with the limits for new plant standards as required by NEM: AQA.