15/08/2023
Death breeds hope
Through recognition of Bloemfontein’s destitute community, one Public Benefit Organisation is making it their goal to bring a sense of hope and social change. “We seek to nurture and lift the spirit the destitute by respecting and celebrating all of Bloemfontein’s people, cultures, religions, and political views,” says Luco Crispin, Director of Dawid’s Light.
He says at the heart of this care section organisation is the focus of all people being worthy of a dignified funeral or, as he puts it, “a celebration of homecoming”.
Whilst funerals given to important people can cost the state up to R35,7 m as in the case of anti-apartheid struggle stalwart Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, a funeral paid by the government to any Tom, Dick and Harry is mostly unworthy and derogative to the deceased person’s life.
Average private funded funerals equate to an average of R26 875.00, making SA the fourth most expensive country to die in and many South Africans unable to afford a burial as the average citizen earned R21 455 per month in 2020 according to Business Tech. Thus against the backdrop of 9,4 per 1 0002 South Africans dying annually and the country fast approaching a 50% jobless figure.
Statistics show an average of 1000 people in Bloemfontein gets an indigent burial every year. “We (David’s Light) want to bring dignity to the less fortunate individuals discarded by humanity.
Our main focus area is on providing a dignified end to a life spent in misery and despair to provide a final resting place for the ultimate homecoming.” Crispin says nobody wants to become destitute or forgotten. “We aim to create an environment in which the less fortunate community feel heard, safe, respected and supported.
Donations enable us to offer a dignified final farewell and resting place in a safe and beautiful crematory monument, with a tree serving as a living memorial to a life lived completes the act of kindness and restoration to their dignity.” He says Dawid’s Light plays a vital role in the City of Roses’ society. “A strong public beneficiary organisation is essential for weaving the social, cultural environmental and economic fabric of our society. It stands up for the unrepresented citizens, and pioneers solutions to major social problems.
David’s Light defends the less fortunate members of our society’s right to a dignified end of life.”
According to Crispin, the need for funding burials are enormous and most calls for help, start with a cry for financial aid. “Even though the state, by means of the local municipality supports some families who can’t afford to bury their loved ones, the grant (an average of R 2 200), doesn’t go very far and takes months to be processed and exceeding the deadline to pay the coffin – and not all applications are accepted.”
This funeral director means burials entails much more than simply lying a loved on to rest. “Burials are more than death and the pain which accompanies it. It is an important part of mourning as loved ones get to pay their last respects. By depriving people this opportunity due to financial constraints, basic human rights of dignity are being forfeited"
A case which is close to Crispin’s heart is when Dawid's Light was able to find an estranged ex-husband. Unfortunately, his co**se was found in a pauper grave outside of Bloemfontein after he has spent years living on the street. “He was buried without ceremony or notification to the family. We could help the ex-wife and their sons retrieve the remains and give them a small ceremony where they could put his ashes in a wall of remembrance to serve as closure and the acceptance they needed. His dignity as a human being continues to endure for his descendants.”
Although death is a sombre topic, the financing of funerals seem to be in dire straits and Dawid’s Light is but one shimmer of hope amidst the doom topic. “We can only pay for funerals according to our funds available. We are thankful for local service providers for their sponsorships, goodwill and reduced fees, but they are still running a business.”
Funding offers the opportunity to be of service where it is needed most.
Send an e-mail to [email protected] for more information. All donations are taxdeductible.
