Familial and Common Graves

From : Omertaa.org

"Familial and Common Graves When a person dies in Malta they end up either in a family or a communal grave. Family graves are seen as more respectable. Common graves (qabar komuni) are for people of a lower socio-economy class (it costs 200 euro/1000 Maltese pounds for a family grave), or for those who are not religious (Galea 2011). A family grave will normally have compartments for four or five coffins, but it can hold up to six bodies. There is space below for bones, which are put into plastic bags during “cleaning” by cemetery workers (Sean 2011). In the past flour bags were used instead. Each set of bones is then put into a box which is stored in the family grave. The boxes used to be wooden or tin, but now they use plastic (Victor 2011; and Vincent 2011). From the Hypogeum to the catacombs, communal graves have been a part of Maltese history. Graves of this nature seem to make the most sense in urbanized areas where space creates an issue. Although this is the case in cities such as Valetta, it does not apply to all of Malta, and is even less relevant in Gozo. It must therefore hold importance in the collective conscious of the people. One explanation is that a burial of this nature delivers the dead from “the isolation in which he was plunged since his death, and reunites his body with those of his ancestors” (Hertz 1960:54). Hertz is referring to a body’s transition from a temporary to a final burial place, but I believe that this is also relevant when discussing communal, at least familial, burials. Common graves may not be as respected as family graves because they contain the bodies of the poor and secular, but it may also be a result of the subconscious idea that the dead buried there are alone. This may be why, after two years, the bones from common graves may be removed and stored in crypts, or thrown down wells located on the cemetery grounds, while the bones from family graves cannot. "

Malta - Graves

"Times of Malta"
2004

"Owning a grave does not mean that problems could not arise and is not a guarantee that a person will definitely be buried there. Mr Attard Kingswell explained that if a grave is not separated in sections, then a year has to pass between one burial and another. However, he said, most private graves have three compartments. The lower compartment is usually used as an ossuary - where the bones are put after the grave is cleaned - but could take up to one coffin. He explained that this compartment is sealed with stone slabs and burials usually take place in the middle compartment, which can take up to two coffins. The second level is also sealed with stone slabs so that the top level can be used if the necessary time frame to open the main compartment has not passed. He said that as long as the section was sealed off, and there were no coffins in the section being opened, a burial could take place at any time.

Addolorata Cemetery - Paola

Addolorata Cemetery - Paola

Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery

The Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery is hidden away outside of Paola which is a short bus ride from Valetta. When I visited the cemetery it was 35 degrees centigrade and very dry. The dust clouds formed a haze that found its way into the mouth and up the nose. The Maltese bus drivers didn’t seem to know where the cemetery was located and had even less knowledge as to which bus stop I should use. This is a surprise becasue the cemetery is huge and the final resting place for many Maltese.

I managed to find the place easily enough and managed to cross the busy lanes of traffic that separates the blisteringly hot cemetery on the hillside from the population down below. The British neo-Gothic style marks the cemetery out from the usual baroque structures on the island. The formality of the entrance arch and the Church formed a backdrop that was impressive although it left me unprepared for the enormous cemetery that lay behind the walls. The burials are found in below ground mausolea capped by marble slabs and stele as well as above ground monuments. The marble used in the structures and monuments would fill an entire quarry. The cemetery is marvellous,  worth seeing and part of the 'world class' list of cemeteries that could be compiled. The usual names are found here "Azzopardi", "Caruana" and "Borg" are present and laid out in strict well maintained lines with their neighbours and friends.

Access to the cemetery is in ‘drives’ along the contours of the hill and when I was there a funeral was taking place with relatives making their way in large black cars. The Maltese understand the importance of funerals and the big black car behind the hearse is a well used metaphor on the island. The signs at the entrance were a shock because they were clearly forbidding photographs and I have to say that I was disappointed. There was so much to photograph although I follow the rules and if the sign says no photographs then there are no photographs. The temptation was great as there appeared to be no one around although I believe in behaving ethically when visiting burial sites. My apologies for the absence of pictures.

The burials are well laid out and protected, at least at the first glance, although on a closer inspection it becomes clear that some above ground structures have been damaged and items on the walls appear to have been broken and carried away. So much for the 'Marquis of this and that' who would find their monuments looking a little sad with a dry and flimsy wooden door revealing the walls now lacking ornamentation.Presumably ripped from the walls by thieves. The Maltese newspapers carry stories about thefts from tombs and I think I saw the brutal evidence of such thefts.  



Looking for the Commonwealth war graves at
Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery
© Godric Godricson

 I looked inside the metal grills of various funerary chapels and found no inhumations with all burials being decently below ground. Unfortunately, The dry heat eventually took its toll and after an hour or so wandering amongst the monuments, I had to leave for the bus back to Valetta and a cold drink.

On the way out of the cemetery, I asked for the section maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission although the caretaker didn’t speak English and he seemed a little blunt even when speaking Malti to other visitors. I should say that the photograph alongside this comment was taken at Kalkara.