Cyprus greenlights island's first crematory

A funeral home in Cyprus has obtained a permit to build the country’s first cremation facility, years after legislation paved the way despite strong resistance from the Orthodox church.

According to local media, a funeral home in Paphos has received the green light from environmental authorities to build a crematorium in Agia Varvara.

The crematory will be a full-fledge facility with a purpose-built furnace in the basement, as well as refrigeration facilities, while farewell rooms will be located on the ground floor.

Knews understands the owner of the funeral home has been involved in cremation services in Cyprus, however no furnace equipment had been available on the island despite legislation allowing the operation of crematories.

Under legislation approved by the House in April 2016, individuals wishing to be cremated in the Republic of Cyprus must state their choice themselves, with the law not providing for relatives to indicate that preference after the death of their loved one.

People on the island, including many foreign nationals, have been looking into cremation options, citing problems with securing plots in traditional cemeteries or other beliefs.

But many Greek Cypriots have also been expressing support for the new law, which was voted amid strong opposition from the Church that still recommends burials in the Greek Orthodox tradition for its followers.