Cost Of Dying In Harare Set To Soar As Council Proposes Steep Increase In Burial, Tombstone Erection Fees

Harare Burial Costs Set To Skyrocket By Over 45 Percent

The price of laying a loved one to rest in Harare is poised for a dramatic jump. The City of Harare has laid out a new budget proposal that would see the cost of burials and tombstone erections skyrocket from the start of next year. This potential financial burden has many residents deeply concerned about the rising cost of death itself.

The proposed tariffs, currently open for public scrutiny, outline a significant hike for almost every service related to cemeteries. If the plan is approved, the final journey for an adult at the main Warren Hills Cemetery will leap from US$275 (approx. R5 100) to US$400 (approx. R7 400) — a staggering 45 percent increase.

For those not officially residing in the capital, the cost is even steeper. A non-resident adult burial is set to rise from US$300 to US$450 (approx. R8 300) — a 50 percent jump.

Staggering Costs For Foreigners And Exhumations

The proposed increases are even more pronounced for non-Zimbabweans and for the sensitive process of exhumation. The fee for burying a non-Zimbabwean adult would surge from US$395 to US$590 (approx. R10 900), a rise of nearly 49 percent.

Furthermore, the cost to exhume a body would see a massive 50 percent increase — moving from US$350 to US$525 (approx. R9 700). These figures have sent shockwaves through communities who feel the council is capitalising on grief.

According to the proposed tariffs on public deposit, the fee hikes are not limited to the main cemeteries. Other council-run burial grounds like Granville, Mabvuku, and Greendale are facing similar adjustments.

For instance, an adult burial at Granville A Cemetery is proposed to increase from US$225 to US$330, a 47 percent jump. The Mabvuku Cemetery adult normal burial will move from US$150 to US$225, a sharp 50 percent increase.

Public Given Deadline To Object

The proposed new fee structure is scheduled to take effect on 1 January 2026, but it is not yet a done deal. In line with the Urban Councils Act (Chapter 29:15), the council has made the documents available for public inspection and objection.

Residents of Harare have until 1 December 2025 to formally lodge their objections to the steep increases. This window provides a critical opportunity for public feedback on the plan.

The cost of memorialising the departed is also set to become more expensive. The fee for erecting a tombstone or memorial across all council cemeteries will rise from US$100 to US$150, a 50 percent increase. This additional cost adds to the overall financial strain on families during a difficult time.

The Herald, confirmed that the proposals are part of the city’s broader budget considerations for the 2026 financial year.