Cremations are taking over from burials due to cost

Cremations are taking over from burials at funerals in Dublin as they are less than a third of the price of a cemetery plot, according to a new TV documentary.

Way To Go, which examines the Irish attitude to death, reveals how grieving relatives are moving away from the traditional Irish send-off.

George McCullough, chief executive of Glasnevin Trust, the largest non-denominational graveyard in Ireland, said cremation is set to overtake the ritual of burial. “In the Dublin area and in our crematorium we are 50% burial, 50% cremation. Maybe even a little bit higher in cremation.

“A lot would be price. If you buy a grave here or any other cemetery in Dublin it is around €2,000 for the standard grave and to open it another €700 to €900. The total cost of cremation if around €850, all paid.”

The documentary, made by RTÉ presenter and business woman Norah Casey, reveals that 60% of Irish people will pass away in hospital.

Consultant physician in palliative medicine, Liam O’Siorain, from the Mater Private Hospital, said hospitals need to be able to give the right care to people who are dying and their families.

“It is terribly important to get it right and if you don’t get it right the family can be left with really difficult bereavement for many, many years afterwards.”

But he said it is unfair to compare acute hospitals to hospices which are built to cater to the needs of the dying.

* Way To Go will be shown on RTÉ One tomorrow at 9.35pm.