Waltair Christian Cemetry

The Waltair Cemetery appears to be the most preferred for the final resting place of Christians in Vizag; there is hardly any space left unreserved here.

The Waltair Cemetery is being maintained by Visakhapatnam Christian Cemetery Board (VCCB). Being the only inter-denomination cemetery in the city, most of the Christians give preference to this particular place. The cemetery was established in 1804 and the tombstones show that the burials took place at least from 1864.

More than 500 churches in and around the city and their branches are registered with VCCB and most members of the congregation at these churches prefer to lay their dearly beloved to rest in this cemetery. There are over 10,000 graves in the cemetery that is spread over 12 acre and there is no space for the dead now.

The 20 to 30 vacant plots have been booked well in advance by paying `250 before 2003. VCCB chairman George Cheedi says that they are still receiving receipts of the reservations made before 2003.

Speaking to this newspaper, Mr Cheedi said, “Due to proper maintenance and also due to sentiments attached to the place, people come here to bury their loved ones. But we don’t have space. Arguments between people who have lost a loved one and the management are now an everyday affair. People who lost their mother say that they want to bury her here since their father is laid to rest here, and vice-versa. I have been the chairman of this cemetery since 2009, and this was the year we stopped accepting reservations.”

every bodies final destination, irrespective of caste and creed.

Good cemetery, centre of the Visakhapatnam

Live life to the fullest..

Amen