Golden Leaves Cyprus Crematorium Limited has received official approval to build the first crematorium in Cyprus. The facility will be located in the Agia Varvara industrial area near Paphos. Construction is scheduled to begin in September 2026, and the crematorium is expected to become operational approximately 18 months later.
For many families, this will be an important development, as cremation services have not previously been available in Cyprus. Relatives were forced to transport bodies abroad, most often to the United Kingdom, Greece, or Hungary, with total costs reaching up to €5,000.
How the New Crematorium Will Be Designed
The complex will be built on a plot of approximately 17,500 m², with the main building covering around 1,000 m². The total project budget is estimated at €4 million. The architectural concept was developed by the British firm Benchmark Architects in cooperation with the Nicosia-based company Vefeades & Vefeades. The facility will include two memorial halls with a combined capacity of around 200 people, memorial gardens, a columbarium, and a landscaped park with olive trees. The basic cost of cremation at the new center will be approximately €900, significantly lower than the current cost of arranging cremation abroad.
Why the Project Was Delayed for Nearly Ten Years
The law permitting cremation in Cyprus was approved by Parliament in April 2016 after lengthy discussions and objections from religious groups. It came into force in 2019, but construction of the first crematorium was repeatedly postponed.
The facility was initially expected to open in 2024, with later projections shifting to 2025 and 2026, and at one point to 2027. Under the latest schedule, full operations are now expected to begin closer to spring 2028.
Modern Technology and an Environmentally Friendly Approach
According to company representatives, the new crematorium will comply with European environmental safety standards. The project includes emission filtration systems, air quality monitoring, and the use of solar panels to partially supply the facility with energy. Biodegradable urns and dedicated memorial spaces will also be introduced, allowing families to honor loved ones in a more personalized setting.
The Cyprus Orthodox Church has previously stated that it will not conduct funeral services for those who choose cremation, maintaining its traditional position. In other Orthodox countries, however, cremation has long been integrated into funeral services without similar restrictions.
Interest in the topic continues to grow. In early 2026, the Cyprus Cremation Society and the French group Funecap announced plans to build a second crematorium on the island, although no specific location or timeline has yet been disclosed. The opening of the first crematorium could mark an important step in modernizing Cyprus’s funeral infrastructure and reshape the way memorial services are conducted on the island in the coming years.