Changing funeral trends: cremation now the preferred option for many

Aoife Watters

CEO, Dublin Cemeteries Trust

As Irish society evolves and grows, and we move away from some older traditions, more and more people are choosing cremation instead of burial.

At Dublin Cemeteries Trust, which hosts funeral services at its five cemeteries across Dublin, cremations now make up almost 70%, with less than one in three opting for burial. 

Cremation over traditional burial

Aoife Watters, CEO of Dublin Cemeteries Trust (DCT) explains: “We have seen a remarkable increase in those choosing cremation, perhaps as part of a pre-written funeral plan or just as the preferred option they have mentioned to family.”

Nowadays, families are more involved in planning funerals, with a growing array of meaningful ways to remember their loved ones after cremation.

Expert in cremation and cremation memorials 

Founded in 1828 by Daniel O’Connell, DCT is a charitable organisation and now Ireland’s leading community of cemeteries and crematoria. The Trust facilitates burials and cremation services six days per week at its five locations in Dublin: Glasnevin (Ireland’s National Cemetery), Dardistown, Newlands Cross, Goldenbridge and Palmerstown. 

O’Connell’s vision of non-denominational spaces, welcoming people of all religions, continues to guide the Trust’s ethos. His forward-thinking approach is still being harnessed today, with the Trust having recently introduced Ireland’s first electric cremator — which has zero emissions and a 50% lower carbon footprint than older cremators.

Cremation Memorial Gardens have a wide range
of options for those who want a tranquil
place to remember their loved ones.

Debunking myths around cremation

Despite rising cremation rates, many misconceptions persist. “One common myth is that cremation happens right there and then on the altar. In reality, this takes place a short time after the service in a specialised space,” explains Watters. “Additionally, the range of options for keeping ashes safe has grown enormously in recent years, expanding far beyond the traditional urn.”

Cremation memorial gardens

In response to changing trends, the beautifully landscaped Newlands Cross Cemetery Memorial Garden was opened in 2023, and a similar garden in Glasnevin Cemetery is set to open in late 2024. “Our newer Cremation Memorial Gardens have a wide range of options for those who want a tranquil place to remember their loved ones,” says Watters.

“Ashes can be interred in different structures, from our well-established Columbarium Walls to small plots and headstones, which resemble a traditional grave. We know how important it is for families to have a peaceful place to remember their loved ones; these gardens offer exactly that.”

The Trust also provides options for multiple family members to rest together, including the option for cremated remains to be interred in a burial plot alongside loved ones. With nearly two centuries of experience, Dublin Cemeteries Trust’s expert team and blend of tradition and innovation ensure that they can work with families to meet every requirement and preference.