Derry funeral director welcomes the approved plans of a crematorium in Letterkenny

A local funeral director has welcomed the planning permission being granted for the construction of a crematorium in Letterkenny.

Sean Carr, owner of Carr Family Funeral Directors, believes the news will be beneficial for Derry and many areas within the northwest of Ireland.

Donegal County Council has given the green light to Michael Morning for the construction of a crematorium—which would be the first to be built in the county—at Carnamuggagh, Letterkenny.

Plans for the funeral home were previously granted planning permission, and in December a fresh application was lodged to add a crematorium to the facility.

Mr Carr said: “It will be great for Derry; it will be a massive difference from having to go to Cavan at present, now with this crematorium in Letterkenny.

“I have always been pushing for a crematorium here in Derry. I find the next generation talks more about cremation.

“I believe a lot of people and funeral directors from Derry will be using the crematorium in Letterkenny once it is completed.

“Letterkenny will be a massive catchment area, the whole northwest and even into the Coleraine and Limavady direction; it will be a lot quicker than going to Cavan and then Belfast, due to how busy it will be up there.”

At the moment, families from the northwest face long journeys to either the Lakelands Crematorium in County Cavan or Roselawn Crematorium in Belfast for cremation services.

Mr Morning, who owns the nearby Eternal Light Chapel of Rest, has been granted planning permission, subject to 20 conditions laid down by the Council.

The permission provides for the installation and operation of one oven for the cremation of human remains. 

The local authority has sought information regarding the training proposals for operational staff and the arrangements for the disposal of waste arising. 

It has also asked for a detailed monitoring programme for stakeholders emissions.

Various assessments and reports are also required by the Council before construction of the facility can begin.

The applicant is to use ‘best practicable means’ to prevent or minimise noise and dust emissions during the construction and operational phases of the development.

Construction can only take place between 7am-7pm Monday-Friday, 8am-2pm on Saturdays, and not at all on Sundays or public holidays, and the hours of operation will be between 9.30am-6pm seven days a week.