Calls for a columbarium in Ballina
A local councillor has called for the installation of a columbarium at Ballina's Leigue Cemetery,
Fine Gael Cllr Mark Duffy called on the Ballina Municipal District to consider installing a columbarium, which is a storage space for the ashes of those who are cremated, a practice that is becoming increasingly popular in Ireland.
“This recently came up at a friend’s father's funeral. The bereaved were surprised there wasn’t somewhere locally for this. This is something that would be well received by people," Cllr Duffy added.
Senior engineer Declan Ginnelly said he would carry out a visual inspection of suitable plots in Leigue Cemetery.
Mr Ginnelly recommended any proposed columbarium for the interment of cremated remains would match the existing conventional burial method as opposed to the provision of a wall type columbarium.
This would be in keeping with Irish culture, the best utilisation of space and projected demand.
Fianna Fáil Cllr Michael Loftus said the 20-bay columbarium in Crossmolina was the first such facility in the county and they are already looking to extend it to meet demand for its use.
He said there are now three other towns in the county looking to build a columbarium after Crossmolina "started the ball rolling".
