Northern Ireland’s second crematorium will open for services from Monday.
Located on Doagh Road, Newtownabbey, this £5 million facility will complement existing services in Roselawn.
However, crematorium manager Jim Parker said it will reduce, but not solve, demand for cremation slots in Northern Ireland.
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“This has been a substantial investment by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council,” he told Belfast Live.
“It’s a state-of-the-art, modern facility and very contemporary, but it also has a purpose for religious or secular services.
“It is not here to meet the demand for cremation in Northern Ireland. It is here first and foremost to provide an appropriate and respectful service to the public and its users.”
Jim said the crematorium will offer a 45-minute cremation service so families don’t feel rushed and they have a service that’s appropriate and personal to themselves.
“When families arrive, they pass through the main entrance into our foyer before entering this modern ceremony space that can accommodate 164 people.
“For that, the conversation with the funeral director and arranging the service that can be done to commemorate, celebrate or remember the deceased is very important.
The council has invested heavily in audiovisual technology at the site, including a live broadcast next to TV screens where families can show videos, images of the deceased or tributes.
“Many families will take the cremated remains with them, perhaps to a favorite site or family cemetery, but we are also investing heavily in our grieving area and memorial options that we hope will provide a pleasant and appropriate place for families to remember their loved ones,” added Jim to it.
“While we are here to offer the service of cremation, the emphasis is again on the quality of the service.
“It’s not like we’re here to solve the cremation question for Northern Ireland or to compete with Roselawn.
“It’s just to give families another choice with six services a day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., which means families shouldn’t feel rushed or mingle with other mourners from other services.”
The price for 2023/24 is £475 for Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough residents and £950 for non-residents.
The Mayor of Antrim and Councilor Mark Cooper BEM of Newtownabbey said: “The new crematorium will be a vital service for families across Northern Ireland.
“Arranging and attending funeral services is a very difficult and emotional time for all families and our staff, who have over 100 years of combined experience, will do everything they can to support the bereaved in their time of need.
“Due to the lack of cemeteries, the demand for cremations has increased sharply in recent years and this new crematorium will offer more options to the bereaved.”
Video: Harry Bateman.
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