Is there enough options for people choosing to be cremated?
Sep 29, 2026 · 4m
Summary
Anton Savage discusses the growing need for columbarium walls in Irish cemeteries with Jane Clark of the Irish Association of Funeral Directors. They address the shift toward cremation, which now accounts for 50% of funerals in urban areas, and the resulting pressure on land use. Clark highlights the importance of providing dignified, accessible spaces for ashes, particularly for those without family graves, to support traditional visits on significant days.
Topics discussed
Sponsor: Thumbtack Tile Trouble
Intro: Cremation and columbarium walls in Cork
History of cremation and columbariums in Ireland
Religious views and the practicality of wall storage
Land use and the need for dignified choices
Importance of a place to visit for families
Cremation rates and access to burial spaces
Outro: News Talk Breakfast
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