Malabon Mayor Jeannie Sandoval led the inauguration of the city's new crematory and interment building at Tugatog Public Cemetery, expanding its funeral, cremation, and interment services.
The inauguration was followed by the blessing of 51 urns and the cremation of 20 remains under the city government's free cremation program, Sandoval told The Manila Times on Saturday.
She said families attended the ceremony to offer prayers and honor the memory of their departed loved ones ahead of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day collectively called ‘Undas.’
Built on a 417.50-square-meter lot, the new facility has two main structures: the administrative building and the crematory and interment place; both are dedicated to providing spaces for administrative operations and funeral-related services for families in need of assistance, City Administrator Alex Rosete said in a separate Viber interview.
The administrative building houses an office, a conference area, storage space, a pantry, restrooms, and a porch and waiting area for visitors—facilities that support day-to-day operations and serve both personnel and the public, Rosete said.
The crematory and interment building contains a crematory and service area, two chapels with a transition area, and a waiting area, giving families designated areas for cremation-related services and gatherings where they can pay their last respects.
"We continue to improve our facilities to meet the needs of our fellow residents. Proper preparation and coordination are important to ensure that the services provided by our city government are appropriate, orderly, and delivered with care for every ‘Malabueño’ household," Sandoval said.
The inauguration comes nearly a year after the October 21, 2025 opening of the first phase of The Risen Christ Hall, a multi-storey, apartment-style tomb facility with 360 niches where families can lay their departed loved ones to rest.
“That facility was also inaugurated ahead of the Undas observance to add interment spaces for residents,” the city officials said.
Residents and visitors were urged to follow cemetery rules, dispose of garbage properly, secure their belongings, and observe traffic advisories and instructions of personnel deployed to assist the public, according to Rosete.
