Grave clearing: between law and practice (2): ‘Cleaning graves also has a social and psychological healing effect’

Surinamese people do not talk easily about death, even though it is inevitable. Sooner or later, people are confronted with it – when losing a loved one or when thinking about their own ‘final resting place’. But that rest is increasingly under pressure. Cemeteries in Paramaribo and districts are filling up and graves are cleared after a while. This clashes with deep-rooted cultural and religious rituals. What does that mean for the idea of ‘a f…