By Paul McElwee
LETTERKENNY funeral director Paschal Blake has hailed news of plans for a crematorium to be based in the town as a ‘mighty change’ for the area and for the future of funeral directors in the north west.
Paschal Blake, of Paschal Blake Funeral Directors and a veteran of almost 20 years sees the crematorium as a welcome addition to the area, allowing funeral directors in the north west the opportunity to offer a cremation service without the need to travel.
Donegal County Council granted funeral business owner Michael Morning’s application to build the facility within a proposed new funeral home in Carnamuggagh. In his application, Mr Morning said it made ‘perfect sense’ to have a crematorium in Letterkenny in order to save many people from travelling to Cavan or beyond to have the wishes of their loved ones fulfilled.
Speaking to the Donegal News, Mr Blake said: “It is most welcome news that planning permission was granted to Michael Morning for this facility which is going to be pivotal in providing cremation services in the North West. At present, anyone seeking cremation has to travel to Cavan, Dublin, Belfast or Mayo so, having this on our doorstep is a game-changer.”
Some 20 conditions around noise and air pollution, suitable locations and operating hours were placed on the permission, with Mr Blake noting: “I have worked with the Morning team for many years now, who offer a wonderful service and are very strict on their practices so I have no doubt they will comply fully with the conditions placed upon them in the planning permission.”
Mr Blake believes that the planning permission couldn’t have come at a better time, given the rise of individuals seeking cremations. “Since I began in the business in 2008, I would say that the number of people seeking cremation has risen by a good ten percent, for a number of reasons. Cremation is a more hygienic practice and, as time has passed, modern-day living has played a part as the choice of cremation has risen among all age groups, young and old. Also, the lack of burial plots is another factor.”
With burial plots obviously a pressing issue, Mr Blake has also welcomed Donegal County Council’s recent ‘expression of interest’ planning notice seeking landowners willing to sell land suitable for the proposed development of a municipal cemetery.
“The news that Council are pressing ahead with an expression of interest for suitable land is wonderful. When I was part of Letterkenny Town Council in 2014, a lot of work was done surrounding this issue. I hope that someone will come forward before the May 9 deadline with an offer of land so the cemetery can be put in place.”
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