Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco – The municipal cemetery in El Progreso is nearing its capacity, with only six months of useful life remaining. The urgency to operationalize the new cemetery located in El Zancudo, on the road to Las Palmas, has been emphasized by local authorities.
“The cemetery department estimates that the El Progreso cemetery will have an approximate useful life of six or seven months,” stated Ascensión Gil Calleja, the director of municipal public services for Puerto Vallarta. The current situation highlights the need to expedite the inauguration of the new cemetery to address the city’s future burial needs.
The cemetery in the Las Palmas district, which is about 25 minutes from the city, is also operational but its location presents logistical challenges for many residents. “We need to start the first stage in the new municipal cemetery located in El Zancudo,” Gil Calleja added, underlining the necessity for more accessible burial grounds.
Puerto Vallarta is home to five cemeteries. The existing El Progreso cemetery is already being used to its maximum capacity, utilizing the small and available spaces remaining. This has further stressed the importance of initiating activities at the new cemetery site as soon as possible.
The proposed new cemetery in El Zancudo is expected to potentially commence operations by September, contingent on the progress of ongoing construction works. “We depend heavily on the Public Works area. According to the director, architect Jaime Gabriel Pérez Meza, activities will probably begin at the end of September,” explained Gil Calleja. The timeline is also dependent on the weather, particularly the rainy season, which could impact construction schedules.
The new cemetery in El Zancudo is designed to accommodate up to 8,000 graves and 17,000 urns. The land for this cemetery was acquired at a cost of 83 million pesos, with an additional 46 million pesos allocated for the construction and installation of the first phase.
The development of the new cemetery is a critical step in ensuring that Puerto Vallarta can continue to provide necessary burial services to its residents. As the El Progreso cemetery reaches its limit, the prompt completion and operationalization of the El Zancudo cemetery will be essential to meet the city’s needs.
The city administration’s efforts to address this impending capacity issue reflect their commitment to planning and providing for the community’s future. Residents and stakeholders are encouraged to stay informed about the progress and upcoming operational status of the new cemetery.
