Demand for cremations reach a record high in Cape Town 2 February 2021 1:36 PM Share This: The demand for cremations has almost tripled since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the City of Cape Town. The City says its Maitland Crematorium is experiencing an exceptionally high demand for cremations as a result of the second wave of Covid-19. The crematorium is operating at full capacity, but due to the volume, may experience delays in having ashes available for collection, the municipality has warned. "The demand for cremations is almost three times more than before the pandemic", according to the City's mayoral committee member for community services and health, Zahid Badroodien.