Lang’ata Cemetery is one of the largest public cemeteries in Kenya that serves as the final resting place for thousands of Kenyans from all walks of life.
In this article, we will explore the history of the cemetery, its charges for different services, the phone number for inquiries and bookings, and its opening hours.
From its establishment to its present-day use, the cemetery has played an important role in the cultural, social, and political life of the country.
This article aims to provide you with all the essential information about Lang’ata Cemetery. Understanding the operations of the cemetery can provide valuable insight into the country’s past and present.
Types of graves
1. Temporary graves
Temporary graves are those that are leased for a specific period of time after which the remains are exhumed.
At the Lang’ata Cemetery, the temporary graves are reused after 10-15 years.
It’s important to note that Lang’ata Cemetery, like many other cemeteries, has specific rules and regulations regarding burials and maintenance of gravesites.
Families are expected to comply with these rules to ensure that the cemetery remains a peaceful and respectful place of remembrance for all.
2. Permanent graves
At the Lang’ata Cemetery, permanent graves are leased for a period of 99 years after which the grave will be reused.
The perk that comes with this option is that it gives one the opportunity to bury another person above the other in the future at almost cost-free after paying for the reopening costs.
Families can also lay a concrete tombstone on the grave.
Lang’ata cemetery services
Lang’ata Cemetery offers three services;
- Funeral services.
- Cremation.
- Exhumation.
1. Funeral services
The cemetery has staff who offer among other services grave digging and graveside preparation to ensure that the burial process runs smoothly.
They also offer other funeral services such as tent and chair rentals and flower arrangement although at an extra cost.
2. Cremation
Cremation involves disposing of a deceased person’s body by exposing it to high temperatures, typically between 760-982 degrees Celsius until it is reduced to bone fragments and ash.
The process usually takes several hours, and the remaining fragments and ash are then placed in an urn or container and given to the family of the deceased.
The family can also leave the ashes at the cremation center.
Cremation has become a popular alternative to traditional burial in many parts of the world, for a variety of reasons.
Some people choose cremation because it is seen as a more environmentally friendly option, as it does not involve embalming fluids or taking up space in a cemetery.
Others prefer cremation because it can be less expensive than a traditional burial, and it can also be more flexible in terms of memorial services and the scattering of ashes.
3. Exhumation
Exhumation is the act of digging up and removing a dead body from its burial place, usually for legal or forensic purposes, or for reburial elsewhere.
The process is often carried out to investigate suspicious deaths, to identify remains that have been buried for a long time, or to relocate the remains of a loved one to a new burial site.
Exhumation is a complex and delicate process that must be carried out with great care and respect.
Depending on the reason for the exhumation, various experts may be involved, including forensic pathologists, archaeologists, and DNA analysts.
Exhumation may also involve obtaining legal permission and following specific guidelines and protocols to ensure that the process is carried out safely and respectfully.
Lang’ata cemetery charges
1. Permanent graves
| Category | Charges |
| Adults within Nairobi | Ksh 30,500 |
| Adults outside Nairobi | Ksh 40,000 |
| Foreigners | Ksh 50,000 |
| Children | Ksh 4,000 |
| Infants | Ksh 2,000 |
2. Temporary graves
Lang’ata Cemetery charges Ksh 7,000 for temporary graves no matter the place where the deceased person died from.
The cemetery also charges Ksh 4,000 for a toddler from age one to 18.
3. Cremation
| Categories | Charges |
| Adults | Ksh 16,500 |
| Children | Ksh 5,500 |
Lang’ata cemetery location
Lang’ata Cemetery is located along Lang’ata Road; some 7 kilometres west of the city center along the main road to Nairobi National Park.
Lang’ata cemetery history
Lang’ata Cemetery, is a public cemetery located in Nairobi, Kenya.
It was established in the early 1900s and was originally used for the burial of European settlers and their families.
The cemetery was named after the Lang’ata farm, which was owned by a British settler named Berkeley Cole. The farm was later sold to the government and the cemetery was established on a section of the land.
During the colonial era, the cemetery was segregated and only Europeans were allowed to be buried there.
Africans and other non-Europeans were buried in separate cemeteries. However, after Kenya gained independence in 1963, the cemetery was opened up to all races and religions.
Today, Lang’ata Cemetery is one of the largest and most important cemeteries in Kenya. It is the final resting place of many prominent Kenyans, including politicians, businesspeople, and artists.
The cemetery is managed by the Nairobi City County Government and is open to the public for visitation and burials.
