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Burial, Cremation or Resomation?

A brief introduction to different funeral options

Traditionally the only way to say goodbye to a loved one was burial in a grave, whether it is an existing plot owned by the family or a new grave is purchased. Now we have the options of cremation and resomation. There are seven crematoria in Ireland, four in Dublin, and one in Cork, Belfast, Cavan and Shannon. We also have Europe’s first Resomation facility in Navan which opened in late 2023.

Burial

The question of being buried or cremated is truly based on personal choice and people choose one or other for different reasons. There is an obligation in Ireland for a new grave plot to be available to everybody, at a reasonable cost and within reasonable distance. In Kerry the local authority, Kerry County Council owns nearly all the cemeteries and a grave cannot be purchased before there is a need for it– only when someone has died. A new single plot in Kerry (almost every cemetery is Council owned) costs €500, two single plots is €1000 and three cost €1500. Generally a single plot will accommodate two or three coffin-burials over a generation; therefore two single plots (a double plot) will take up to six coffin-burials, and so forth- depending on the type of soil, coffin quality and timing between burials.

What is Resomation?

Resomation, also known as Water Cremation or Green Cremation, is an alternative to flame cremation or burial. It is a gentle, green and eco-friendly end-of-life choice, and clearly as we become more aware of our environmental footprint, there’s a growing call for eco-friendlier alternatives. A funeral involving Resomation is a familiar ceremony, similar to flame cremation but instead of using fire, water is used to return the body to calcium phosphate (ash) and is returned in an urn similar to cremation.

Gleasures are delighted to offer Resomation; a process similar to traditional ceremonies, but which utilises water instead of fire to gently return the body to its natural elements. Like in cremation, families receive an urn with the pure white remains of their loved one, symbolizing a dignified remembrance. Resomation represents a thoughtful choice for our final farewell, leveraging a natural water-based process that is softer on the body and more environmentally considerate.

At Gleasures Funeral Homes, we believe in providing options that are ecologically responsible and truly reflective of the individual’s life. Our commitment extends to delivering a personal and compassionate service. We honor all ethical, cultural, and religious backgrounds with the highest respect. Our dedication is rooted in offering exceptional care with a personal touch, all at a reasonable cost, reflecting our passion for excellence in service.

More information on the only Resomation facility in Ireland can be found at https://www.purereflections.ie/

Direct-Burial, Direct-Cremation or Direct-Resomation Service

This is a simple, straightforward immediate disposition of the body, with minimum delay, and is cost effective. A Direct funeral includes; removal of the deceased locally to our Funeral Home, the funeral arrangements interview and attendance as required, preparation of the body, provision of a suitable coffin, a hearse and driver for conveyance to the cemetery, crematorium or resomation facility (the date and time of which will be at the discretion of the funeral director). In the case of cremation or resomation, the (cremains) ashes will be returned to the family in Kerry. Payments made on the family’s behalf are the doctor/coroner’s fees, cemetery caretaker offering and grave opening charges or crematorium charges.

Not everyone wishes to have a traditional or elaborate funeral ceremony with the body of the person present. It may be a person’s wish that “When I die, I just want the simple funeral services taken care of, without ceremony, I don’t want anyone else there.”

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