Strabane man leading proposals for new crematorium

THE Strabane man who is leading the proposals for a crematorium to be built in Donegal believes the facility will cater for people in his home town.

Plans for the facility were submitted to Donegal County Council, and if approved, it is hoped to be in operation by spring 2021.

The proposed development in Manorcunningham would have the capacity to conduct between five and 20 cremations a week.

Currently people from the north west have to travel to Belfast or Cavan for a cremation, and it is thought the local crematorium would cater for people from Tyrone, Donegal, Derry and surrounding areas.

Strabane man Shane Stewart who is heavily involved in the project, says so far, the feedback to the proposal has been positive.

Speaking to the Chronicle, Mr Stewart said, “This is something that people have been crying out for in the north west for the past ten or 15 years.

“We have engaged with local funeral directors across Strabane, Derry and Donegal, and also those residents who live in the immediate Donegal area.

“The nearest crematorium to here is Cavan or Belfast which is a couple of hundred miles round trip while families are going through a difficult time.

“We have identified a facility that is needed here in the north west region but it is currently subject to planning. We picked the location so it can cater for a wide area.”

The plan has been submitted to the Donegal County Council, and Mr Stewart and his partners are hoping to have it approved by the end of the year and ready to open next year.

Mr Stewart believes the demand for crematoriums will increase in the future as burial space in graveyards is becoming limited.

He said, “Looking at the figures, around 20 per-cent of people across the whole island of Ireland get cremated. Cemeteries are running out of space and this is becoming an increasing problem for councils to find more space, which will also increase the cost. Cremation ends up being a more economical route for a funeral.

“We are also hoping that if there is one in the local area, then it will become an option for people, so we expect the uptake to increase,” said Mr Stewart.

Crematoriums have previously been criticised due to pollution but Mr Stewart has offered his reassurances that pollution will not be an issue. He continued, “There is EU regulations that we must meet in regards pollution but with the modern day incinerators, they have which removes pollution gases and it is only the excess gas that is released in to the atmosphere.

“The modern technology is quite expensive but it takes care of all the pollution but anything done at the crematorium will meet the regulations.”

He concluded, “Fingers crossed if we face no major hurdles, we will have it open early next year.”