SINCE the arrival of Benedictine monks in Murroe in 1927, Glenstal Abbey has been part of the life and now the death of countless people.
Over the years they have been asked about the possibility of a burial in Glenstal. In response to this wish, and due to the growing number of people choosing cremation, the monastic community created a garden cemetery early last year. It is located next to the monastic cemetery and overlooks the chapel lake.
Father Cuthbert Brennan said the original cemetery has 100 spaces and 90% of those are already pre-sold. It provides for the burial of the cremated remains of a loved one.
“To meet demand, we have opened a second cemetery next to the current one with 100 additional places,” Fr Cuthbert said.
Many of their customers to date, he says, are those with a connection to Glenstal Abbey such as regular guests, old boys and their families from school.
However, Father Cuthbert said there was “an increasing number of locals who have bought land”.
Perhaps it could be down to a shortage of burial spaces in parts of County Limerick, many of which are only available to buy ‘when needed’.
They say advance purchase arrangements “provide you and your family with the comfort and knowledge that your plans are in place.”
A cemetery space can accommodate up to two urns. Each resting place is marked with a slab of local gray granite to engrave the names and dates of birth and death of individuals.
Space can be purchased in a single payment or in annual payments for up to five years at no additional cost. The cost is not disclosed on the site.
A monk from the Glenstal community will be available to lead the Christian Funeral Order’s Commitment Rite, unless the family prefers to make other arrangements such as selecting a pastor.
There is also the option of purchasing a handmade wooden urn from the abbey workshop.
The range of difficulties that can be encountered in securing new spaces for graves was featured in last week’s Leader. Cllr Eddie Ryan said he had been approached by Church of Ireland trustees from Tipperary to ask whether the city and Limerick County Council could appropriate the ruins and graveyard at Duntryleague, Galbally. It could eventually accommodate 100 burial plots.
A report has emerged that there is a well located in Duntryleague Cemetery which could supply the Ballinamona Group’s water supply system. The well is between 250 and 300 meters from the location of the new plots.
Cllr Ryan said the council advised him that ‘if a burial were to take place in Duntryleague Cemetery, chemicals, such as those used in the embalming process, could potentially enter the drinking water supply and pose a serious health risk. of those who consume water.
“As a result, the re-opening of burial grounds for new burial plots has not progressed,” Cllr Ryan said.
