Burial facilities now available in Omagh for Muslim families

MUSLIM families living in the Omagh area now have access to ‘culturally appropriate’ burial arrangements at Greenhill Cemetery.

Although the council-run graveyard on the Gortin Road in Omagh does not currently have a dedicated Muslim section, officials confirmed that the existing layout and orientation of the site allow for burials that meet Islamic traditions.

These include swift interment – typically within 24 hours – and positioning of the deceased facing Mecca.

“Council staff have been able to accommodate requests from Muslim families and their representatives who wish to avail of a culturally appropriate burial plot,” said John News, Director of Environment and Place, during a recent council meeting.

Greenhill Cemetery, which was extended in 2019, currently has 1,071 available plots.

It is also the proposed location for a future crematorium and has scope for further expansion if required.

Across the district, total burial capacity stands at nearly 2,000 plots, with an additional 632 available at Fintona Cemetery.

The historic Dublin Road cemetery in Omagh, more than a century old, is now closed to new burials.

According to figures presented at the council’s Environmental Services Committee, the past year saw 39 new burials at Greenhill, 27 at Dublin Road and five in Fintona.

Mr News also noted a growing trend of families purchasing double plots, which can accommodate up to six burials. While this offers more flexibility for families, it may impact long-term burial capacity across council-run cemeteries.