Time to kick-start the crematorium camaign

Some nine years ago the topic of a crematorium for Cyprus was raised, and got nowhere.

Three years ago another initiative was begun and despite considerable media support, a (current) collection of over 5,000 names, and firm promises from the Minister of the Interior’s Office that a legal framework would be in place by March 2007, to be followed swiftly by a Parliamentary Bill, nothing has moved forward.

Letters and telephone calls to the Ministry are unanswered. Nobody in government appears to care, yet we remain the only EU country lacking this facility.

The island’s cemeteries are acknowledged to be full, which is just one good reason why a crematorium would make sense. There is no religious contention and indeed the Archbishop has given a personal assurance that he regards it simply as a matter of choice. So why the inordinate delay? Is it pushed to the bottom of the agenda because as an issue there are no political votes in it? 

There are some 75,000 expatriates in Cyprus, many elderly and frankly concerned about what might be possible for them when the time comes for the family to make what are usually termed ‘the arrangements’. When there is increasing talk of expatriates leaving Cyprus and problems of attracting new investment, then the establishment of a crematorium would be an important reassurance that the government is listening to the expatriate community.

It is less than considerate of the government, and almost unkind, to keep postponing the necessary administrative process when there is nothing material standing in its way.

May I suggest the very many interested people write direct to Nasia Hadjiprokopi, who represents the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of the Interior (at 1453 Nicosia) asking for an explanation.

There is a fax number: 22-677 730. There could be reference made to a letter I wrote to this official dated April 10, 2008 clearly setting out, yet again, the case for a crematorium in Cyprus. This letter went unanswered.

 
Clive Turner,
Paphos

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.