Cyprus: Government not Church the block to crematorium - Crematorium.eu News about crematoria in Europe - www.crematorium.eu informs about crematoria in Europe- Krematorium.eu- crematorio.eu, find a crematorium

It appears several Paphos mayor candidates considered that the Church is opposed to a crematorium for Cyprus, but both the Archbishop and the Bishop of Paphos have told me they believe it is a matter of individual choice - and neither would stand in its way.

The stumbling bock is unquestionably Central Government where, for several years, various Ministries have assured me the legal framework is “imminent” but almost a decade has passed with nothing emerging. However, a few months ago Law Commissioner Leda Koursoumba wrote to me saying legislation would be drafted in respect of funeral parlours, embalming, and crematoria before the end of this year. There is little time left to reach this deadline.

Apart from over 7,000 names registered islandwide in support, our small working group has private finance available; architectural drawings and attractive illustrations of what a crematorium would look like; units ready for import; technical expertise to hand; the English language media backing us; the British High Commission favouring a crematorium and only the matter of finding for sale or lease about 5,000 sq. metres of tranquil land, but near a motorway, proving truly problematical.

Unhappily, despite desperately overcrowded and badly maintained cemeteries, there is a complete absence of of will on the part of the Government to move forward. The view seems to prevail that all we need is an industrial zone pit where one might burn garbage. Meanwhile, there is an unwillingness to accept that there is no emission issue (there hasn’t been such for 40 years).

So please add your name to my register (newventure@cytanet.com.cy), lobby your Muhktar, and write to newspapers, magazines and the Government if you wish to change the situation.