Facing up to one of life’s burning issues — cremation or burial

Death and dying have become far too medicalised — pretending it is not happening, doesn’t make it go away, writes Alison O’Connor.

MY OWN neighbourhood in Harold’s Cross, Dublin, has a wonderful annual festival. This year I decided to do one of the local tours on offer, but was quite surprised by the reaction of people to my plan.

My destination? Well our local crematorium and the guided tour which I hoped would satisfy any curiosity I might have about exactly what happens when the ceremony ends, the music starts, and the coffin disappears behind that curtain.