Toots Hibbert’s Final Resting Place Will Be The National Heroes Park Jamaica

Following a horrendous mistake that forced the postponement of the internment of the body of legendary reggae artiste Frederick ‘Toots’ Hibbert, the Jamaican government has announced that Hibbert will be laid to rest in the National Heroes Park Jamaica.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Culture, Gender Entertainment, and Sport, Olivia Grange, earlier today, through a press release. The statement also explained why Hibbert was not laid to rest as planned on October 15. It was believed that there was no space at the park but this turned out to be untrue because the last available space had never been used.

Grange explained that a burial space had been identified and was offered to Charles Hyatt’s family, who agreed to exhume his body and lay it at the park. The space, therefore, belongs to the family of the late Hyatt, an actor, broadcaster, director, and author, whose remains were due to be re-interred in the last burial spot for cultural icons at the National Heroes Park.

“At the time of his death in January, 2007, the family of our dear Charles Hyatt had requested that he be buried in National Heroes Park, but they were told that there were no more spaces available and he was instead interred at the Meadowrest Memorial Park in St. Catherine.”

However, since the family of Hyatt never re-interred his body, after being offered the spot in 2007, they agreed to give it to Hibbert instead.

“It was later discovered that there was one final burial space available in the relevant section at National Heroes Park and the government went back to the family who decided that they would exhume Mr Hyatt’s remains and re-inter them in National Heroes Park.”

“Given the current need for a suitable burial place for the late Toots Hibbert, the Hyatt family has generously consented to allow the Reggae legend to be interred in the final burial spot in the section for cultural icons in National Heroes Park,” she added.

The necessary approval has also been given from Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, to proceed with plans for the interment of Toots Hibbert in National Heroes Park.

The minister further stated that:

“Toots is without question one of the pioneers of Reggae Music. He has even been credited with giving the genre its name. He is a national treasure whose humble demeanour and affable personality belied his towering global stature. Interment in National Heroes Park will suitably memorialise his contribution to Jamaica and reignite the unity in his family, among his peers and his fans which is required at this time.”

There are also plans to build a monument to Toots, as he was fondly called, in his home town of May Pen. There is also a need for a proper burial place for icons of the culture, she continued.

“So far we have developed a concept, identified a location where the relevant tests, including soil testing, have been completed. We will now move to develop the designs and budget to present a detailed proposal to the Cabinet. I commit to ensuring that the late Charles Hyatt is memorialised in the proposed park,” Grange added.