The first crematorium outside Dublin opens next Monday on an island in Cork harbour. It is expected to cater for around 700 cremations in the first year.
Until now, families in the south of Ireland who opted for this form of funeral service have had to make the long journey to Dublin, where there are three crematoriums.
Almost 30 per cent of funerals in Dublin, or about 2,000 services a year, involve cremations.
People choose cremation for a variety of reasons including the personal wishes of the deceased. One reason for the rapid increase in the numbers opting for cremation rather than burial is the considerable cost savings involved and also the acute shortage of plots in cemeteries where close relations are already buried.
The opening of the Cork crematorium comes after several failed attempts by various business people to obtain planning permission.
The issue was finally resolved when Clonmel-based businessman Louis Ronan acquired Rocky Island, close to the naval base at Haulbowline, and later secured permission to convert an early 19th century gunpowder magazine into a crematorium.
The approach to the island takes motorists across a bridge from Ringaskiddy, about eight miles from Cork city.
The classical-style brick vaults that will house the crematorium have been sensitively restored under the direction of Patrick Creedon of architects Magee Creedon.
The unusual entrance runs through a cave-like tunnel into a courtyard with a large water feature and a 90-year-old arbutus tree imported from Italy.
The three original vaults running from one end of the building to the other have been fitted out for use as a spiritual area, family room and refreshments area, as well as for staff quarters.
Mourners will leave via a second courtyard at the back of the building.
Mr Ronan is principal of Enfer Scientific Ltd in Co Kildare, which was the first biotechnology company to develop a rapid test screening system for BSE.
