Council confirms ‘all available burial plots’ used in Carnmoney Cemetery

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has confirmed that the last burial plot in Carnmoney Cemetery was allocated at the end of last week.
Carnmoney Cemetery (Main). Pic by Google.Carnmoney Cemetery (Main). Pic by Google.
Carnmoney Cemetery (Main). Pic by Google.

Burial capacity across the borough has been in decline for a number of years.

Responding to a media query from this paper about the issue, a spokesperson for the local authority said: “Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council can confirm that all available new burial plots in Carnmoney Cemetery have been used.

“The cemetery will remain open for visiting and reflection within its normal hours, and it will be regularly maintained by council teams.

“New burial plots are available at other council cemeteries- Ballyclare, Rashee, Crumlin and Sixmile in Antrim. We have provision across the other cemeteries to serve the borough for approximately 16/17 years.”

The spokesperson added: “The council understands the sensitivities regarding this situation, and made considerable efforts to mitigate its impact.

“In 2019 council was able to provide 264 additional plots at Carnmoney however these have now been used. Historically the council has engaged in numerous efforts to secure and purchase additional grounds in the vicinity of the urban part of Newtownabbey without success.”

The issue has been discussed by elected members on a number of occasions.

At its monthly meeting in January 2018 the council agreed with immediate effect, that the pre-sale of new burial rights will only take place for immediate burials and in cases where a terminal illness has been confirmed.

Speaking at the time, a council spokesperson said: “The council has been assessing burial capacity across the borough and it has not been possible to identify any new cemetery sites, despite various attempts over many years, including work previously completed prior to the merger of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Councils.”

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