Consuming alcohol during funeral processions or at cemeteries in St
Vincent and the Grenadines will soon be regulated as Prime Minister Dr
Ralph Gonsalves said the government will bring legislation to
parliament next week to bring order to the burial process
Prime Minister Gonsalves said the behaviour of some mourners is
becoming “out of hand”, and that there is a lot of disrespect.
“It is one thing for us to say we are celebrating the life of someone who
we are moving in a procession with. It is a terrible thing to see people
drinking beer and rum while they are jumping up as if it is a carnival.
And you go inside of the churchyard, and you see people with iceboxes
selling alcoholic beverages and so on. I think we have to do something
about this. It has become out of hand and the legislators have to do
something to bring order to this celebratory but solemn event.” Dr.
Gonsalves said.
Additionally, the prime minister said parliamentarians will also consider
legislation on increasing penalties for guns and ammunition crimes,
court reporting and sexual offences.