Fees revealed for new Laois Columbarium Wall for cremated ashes
Laois has its first burial wall for cremated remains and the price to buy a slot for deceased loved ones has been finally revealed.
The new Columbarium Walls are in St Peter and Paul's Cemetery in Portlaoise and were installed by its owners Laois County Council last September.
They are going to charge €1,400 to bereaved people for buying a permanent niche, with 80 spaces available to fill. Anyone in Laois or beyond can apply to buy one of the niches.
Each niche can hold the remains of two individuals.
The council has said they cannot "undercut" any future columbarium walls installed in other graveyards not owned by the council.
Director of Services for burial grounds is Donal O'Sullivan.
"When you work out the cost of the wall, and the cost of facilitating a burial, it is €1,400 for Laois. They can take two burials. It just about covers the costs. Because this could be provided by anybody, somebody else could apply so we can't undercut," he said.