The Clare Estate Umgeni Hindu Crematorium society is commemorating a milestone 120 years of existence on August 25.
According to the Clare Estate Umgeni Hindu Crematorium website, the present grounds were ceded to the Hindu residents of Clare Estate in 1904. Until then, open-fire cremations took place on private properties.
The society’s president, Pradeep Ramllall, said the mood was positive, building up to the commemoration. He said they had been a trusted cremation centre for over 100 years and that said a lot about the quality services they provided.
“This is very important and huge for us. We have been pillars to the Hindu community since 1904. During Covid-19 it was our busiest period because we used to cremate around 40 to 50 bodies a day,” Ramllall said.
The society grew from hall number 1 to a boardroom for meetings, another building for the incinerators, and people were employed. Now there are two halls that can seat about 500 people, and another that accommodates 250.
“We have many people who come here for our services. The society is wellknown. We are a totally private organisation. We have people coming not only in Durban but as far as from Pietermaritzburg,” Ramllall said.
The Mercury