LIMERICK is leading the way in an area fraught with difficulty for many families, that of how to deal with the cremated ashes of a loved one.
Despite the growing popularity of cremation, many graveyards do not facilitate ash only interments. Urn Towers, a company set up by Limerick man Stephen Power provides a unique solution, allowing the interring of cremated remains in graveyards.
Limerick City and County Council is the first local authority in the country to support this initiative by piloting a project to allow families inter a loved one’s remains in a new-style memorial called an Urn Tower.Â
The urns holding the remains are placed inside the family Urn Tower. Two Limerick City graveyards – Killmurry and the extension at Mount St Lawrence cemetery –  will be the first Irish facilities to offer this option.
Once the trial period is completed, it is hoped that Urn Towers will be available at other Limerick graveyards and, eventually, throughout the country.
Stephen Power of Urn Towers says that with space in city graveyards at a premium, cremation rates are increasing by up to 20 per cent every year.
“A new grave can cost from €500 to €14,000. This does not cover the extras such as opening the grave, monument fees and headstone costs.A growing population and the influx of people to cities and towns is putting pressure on graveyards with many running out of space. Cremation offers some relief on these issues.
“Some families scatter the ashes in places where the deceased person had some attachment. However, other families would prefer to have a permanent place to visit and remember a loved one who has chosen cremation.
“Urn Towers offer a real solution for this very modern dilemma”, he said.
