Malta Still Waiting For Crematorium More Than Three Years Later With PA Finalising Policy
Malta’s Planning Authority is currently drawing up an updated version of the cemeteries policy with the country waiting for crematorium services more than three years later.
Following a parliamentary question from MP Rosianne Cutajar concerning an update on Malta’s crematorium, Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne said that consultation has been concluded and the policy is now being updated.
Cremation services have been legal in Malta since May 2019 after a landmark piece of legislation was approved by Parliament.
However, no service has been launched since.
Back in July 2021, Fearne said that the crematorium would have been up and running in a few months, telling parliament that the project will be launched once the extension to Addolorata cemetery is completed.
An application was submitted soon after for a crematorium nearby Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery.
The application, which spreads across a 7,638sq.m plot, was presented by Johann Camilleri on behalf of Active Group Limited. It is located in an area outside the development zone. The site’s architect is Robert Musumeci.
It will be located by the entrance on the Santa Lucija side of the cemetery.
According to plans, the development will see a crematorium built over two underground levels and a ground floor. Two mortuaries, a multipurpose hall, a reception area, two viewing rooms, a cold room, five columbariums and other ancillary facilities will be constructed.
However, nothing ever materialised.
Cutajar, who spearheaded the legislation, previously said that the Maltese government should give the entire concession for the country’s cremations to one crematorium.
This, she explained, was both due to the feasibility of having three operators and the environmental concerns that come with the practice.
It is still unclear as to who will operate the service. In 2019, Camilleri Funeral Directors showed an interest (as evidenced by previous applications), with a cremation believed to cost between €550 and €750.
Regulations are in the hands of the Superintendence of Public Health, who will be responsible for monitoring crematoria, conducting inspections on them at least once a year and empowering them to take all necessary action if they breach their license obligations.
People who operate illegal crematoria risk a three to five-year prison sentence and/or a fine of between €10,000 and €30,000. License breaches are punishable by six months jail and a fine of €5,000 and €15,000
A national registry will be set up to record people’s wishes on whether they want to be cremated and, if so, how.
Would you get cremated?
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