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Jakarta's jet-set mourners will get a little more for their money, writes Presi Mandari.


Mourners wearing black congregate by a lawn-fringed plot on the outskirts of the Indonesian capital as they await the arrival of the body of their relative and friend. Once the funeral service is over, they have the choice of taking a dip in the Olympic-size pool nearby, rowing a boat across the lake or, in the not-too-distant future, having lunch at an Italian restaurant.

In a city where the dead literally face eviction if their relatives fail to pay regular fees for the upkeep of their graves, a new and vast cemetery-cum- entertainment complex aims to fill a niche for the rich. Arriving by helicopter to cut hours off a road trip to this sprawling complex 46 kilometres outside traffic-clogged Jakarta, the ambition of the developers is clear. So far, just 25 hectares out of a planned 500 have been developed at San Diego Hills Memorial Park. Tree-shaded roads wind through the hilly compound, a world away from public cemeteries in Indonesia that are invariably basic and often unkempt.

"We are inspired by the memorial park concept from the United States and Europe, where the beauty of well-maintained lawns removes the eerie feeling usually found in traditional cemeteries," said Suziany Japardy, an associate director of San Diego Hills.While the tranquil cemetery itself is meant to be the key draw, it is just the start, and as far as Ms Japardy is aware, this is the first cemetery in the world to also offer a range of entertainment options for mourners. The idea, she said, is to lure back the relatives of the deceased to visit their grave."After visiting the grave, our clients can enjoy the facilities here with their family, either by having a meal in our restaurant or doing some sports activities," she said.

Mourners can row out on the eight-hectare lake, jog, ride a bicycle to enjoy the green, open space - so lacking in Jakarta - or dine at the planned 200-seat restaurant. Basketball courts and a football pitch are also planned.A wedding chapel, used twice since the centre opened in January, is perched on a hill with splendid views of the lake - and the graves.A convention hall could be used for meetings, balls or fashion shows, said Ms Japardy.

Yuli, 32, has already bought five plots in the Muslim section, one each for her and her husband, the rest for close relatives."At first it's weird knowing that a recreational centre is inside . but in the end, I think it's good as you can make an excursion while visiting the family's grave," she said.Her total cost was 80 million rupiah (about $A8000), which secures the plots indefinitely - a growing concern in mostly-Muslim Indonesia, where land on the densely populated main island of Java is becoming scarce.In Jakarta, officials issued regulations in April warning relatives that public cemetery graves would be taken back after three years if a fee was not paid. AFP

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