Elphin suggested as location for columbarium wall

A columbarium wall to provide a suitable resting place for cremated remains should be established in the county, according to Boyle Municipal District councillors who are now proposing that Elphin Cemetery could accommodate the facility.

The suggestion was put forward at a meeting to agree the draft budget in 2026. The meeting noted that €25,000 had been included for major repair works at cemeteries in the district, which will be provided for in the next three years.

Cllr Tom Crosby highlighted the increase in the number of cremations taking place and said that an undertaker had recently told him that 35 percent of families nationally are having their loved ones remains cremated.

He said it is quite common in other areas to have a columbarium wall and believes this should be looked at for the county especially in light of the fact that “the chances of graveyards extending is low.” 

Cllr Valerie Byrne welcomed the money for graveyards saying the recent storms had “destroyed many of them and I would class this as an emergency.” She said Elphin has a new cemetery which is open to everyone of all denominations and believes it should be selected for the installation of a columbarium wall.

Cllr Liam Callaghan also said that a graveyard should be identified to accommodate cremated remains and supported Cllr Byrne’s proposal.