The completion of the first crematorium in Cyprus, located in the Paphos area, has been postponed until 2026.
The project was originally expected to be completed in 2025, but there have been delays in the pre-construction phase.
No tender for the construction works has yet been announced. Given the time needed to process applications and tenders, it is virtually impossible to complete the project before the end of 2025. Representatives of the administration of the future crematorium claim that 'various circumstances' are the reason for the delays, but no details were given.
The council of the village of Ayia Varvara (Paphos district), where the facility is to be located, has reported a request to increase the size of the future building. A final decision on the matter will be taken after the relevant authorities have examined the documents. The head of MW Crematorium Cyprus Ltd, which is overseeing the large-scale project, and representatives of the Paphos municipality have so far declined to comment.
Recall that according to the idea of the building, the crematorium should consist of two floors with a total area of more than 11 000 m2.
The ground floor includes: the main entrance with a waiting area for visitors, 3 offices for staff, kitchen, guest and service toilets, as well as a room where memorial services will be held (about 70 seats). The basement includes: utility rooms, an area for the reception and preparation of bodies, an area where the incinerator will be located, an area for the distribution of ashes, refrigerators for the temporary storage of bodies, as well as 3 parking spaces. For the convenience of visitors and staff, there will be a car park for 30 cars next to the building, 2 of which will be for the disabled. The area around the new crematorium will be landscaped.
The cost of the project is estimated at 2.2 million euros. It will take about 24 months to complete.
It is worth mentioning that in April 2016, after active protests from the Cypriot Orthodox Church, the Cypriot Parliament passed a law allowing the cremation of the dead in the country. However, due to technical delays, the law will not come into force until 2019. Meanwhile, the construction of the crematorium has been postponed several times, mainly due to a lack of funds. The law also stipulates that cremation should only take place in certified facilities, which can be opened by the state, local authorities or private individuals.
At present, islanders who wish to cremate deceased relatives and friends have to send the body abroad, at a cost of around 5,000 euros. The construction of a crematorium on the island will solve this problem. And the cost for the relatives of the deceased will be reduced to 900 euros.