How many stories do these stones hold? Welcome to the Cementeri municipal de Marratxí. This cemetery located on the Camí de Son Ametller also known as Son Blanc isn’t just a place of rest. It’s a living archive of Marratxí’s history. The Cementeri municipal de Marratxí stretches across 20000 square meters. It has room for 800 tombs. Records go back to 1911. Some graves even date back to the late 19th century.
Imagine the lives lived before these stones were set. Think about the families who gathered here. In 2021 alone 141 funeral services took place. Ninety-nine were inhumations thirty-two exhumations and ten inurnments of ashes. Two gravediggers work here. Another helps for six months of the year. Three municipal workers assist when needed.
The Cementeri municipal de Marratxí has seen significant changes. Thirty-two new tombs were recently built. Each holds ten niches costing 2600 euros each. Families can buy a maximum of two niches. There are also 120 columbariums for ashes. These are granted for 50 years at a cost of 1000 euros. The cemetery is open from 7 am to 2 pm. October and November are the busiest months because of All Saints Day. Around 3000 people visit then.
The modern process of burial is efficient. Palma’s funeral home notifies the cemetery. They then schedule a burial usually the day after the request. Before the 1950s things were different. Caskets traveled by horse-drawn hearse. One of these hearses is on display. The Cementeri municipal de Marratxí has been expanded twice. The first time was in 1976. The second took place in two phases from 1979 to the mid-1990s. The high cost of investment caused the delay. At one point the waiting list for a niche reached 500 people. The chapel was built around 1980. Josep Valera has been the gravedigger since 1985.
Recently the town council improved the cemetery’s appearance. They removed old vegetation. They replaced it with natural grass and gravel. Future plans include improving an entrance. Four rooms and a wake area will be added. The Cementeri municipal de Marratxí is more than just a cemetery. It is a vital service. It’s a place that silently witnesses the cycle of life. It performs a key role in the community. A role often overlooked but essential. The number of burials varies. Sometimes there is one a day. Sometimes three or four in a single day. The workers must always be prepared. They ensure this essential service runs smoothly.