MP York says St. Maarten Faces burial space crisis, urges action

GREAT BAY--St. Maarten is confronting an urgent crisis as its cemeteries are running out of space, prompting Member of Parliament Darryl York to request immediate government intervention. York has formally called for a Parliamentary Question Hour with the Minister of VROMI to address the critical lack of burial plots, framing it as a fundamental issue of dignity, planning, and cultural respect.

Many of the island's cemeteries are reported to be at or near full capacity. Compounding the problem are specific threats, such as erosion at the Cay Bay cemetery, and a broader absence of a master plan for the maintenance, expansion, or future development of burial grounds.

“This is not a topic many wish to confront, but it is one that requires honest attention and decisive planning,” stated MP York. “Burial is a deeply human matter. It speaks to how a society honors its past while preparing for its future. We owe it to our people to ensure that their final resting place is managed with dignity and foresight.”

In his request to the President of Parliament, York submitted a series of pointed questions demanding transparency and a clear strategy from the Ministry. Key points for discussion include:

• The exact availability of remaining burial plots across the island.

• The Ministry's short-term contingency plans and long-term strategy for new cemetery development.

• The status of land acquisition, specifically the Belvedere property listed in the 2025 capital expenditures plan.

• Measures to address environmental threats like the erosion at Cay Bay cemetery.

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