Belfast Roselawn Crematorium Redevelopment Delay Intensifies Bereavement Challenges

Belfast City Council's plans to redevelop the Roselawn Crematorium, originally announced nearly a decade ago and granted planning permission in 2023, have faced significant delays, causing distress for bereaved families. The current crematorium, designed for 700 cremations annually, now handles over 3,500, leading to limited availability and shortened funeral service times capped at 20 minutes since the pandemic. The proposed £18 million redevelopment includes two ceremony rooms seating 200 people each, aiming to increase capacity to around 4,500 cremations per year. Despite public consultation and approvals, further feasibility studies have been ordered, prompting criticism from UUP MLA Doug Beattie, chair of the All Party Group on Funerals and Bereavement, who calls the delays a "disgrace" and questions the justification for additional studies. The council states elected members are still considering options, but the ongoing postponement is exacerbating suffering for families and raising concerns over the efficient use of taxpayers' money. Funeral directors and politicians alike emphasize the urgent need for a modernized facility to meet rising demand and provide dignified services.