County's first lawn cemetery opens

The first cemetery styled as a 'burial garden’ or 'lawn cemetery’ was opened in the county this week when the Derrockstown Burial Garden opened outside Dunshaughlin.
Meath County Council cathaoirleach, Cllr Brian Fitzgerald, officially opened the 900-plot cemetery, which is also one of the first non-denominational burial facilities to be opened by the council.
As Derrockstown is a lawn cemetery, headstones on a base will be permitted in accordance with a specification developed by the council, and no kerbs or surrounds will be permitted, with all burial plots are maintained as grassed areas. 
“This practical approach as well as providing environmental and capacity benefits will enable grass cutting between graves by the caretaker appointed to manage this facility,” Cllr Fitzgerald stated.
The caretaker is Robinstown man Michael Clynch, who in consultation with the Environment Department in the Council will be the main point of contact for the burial garden, including keeping the register of burials.
In recent years there has been a steady trend towards cremations with an estimated 10 to 12 per cent of deceased being cremated and a slightly higher 15 per cent in Dublin and environs. An area will be reserved in the burial garden for internment of ashes in the ground.
With over 900 burial spaces and 120 car parking spaces and associated toilet and caretaker facilities, it will serve the greater Dunshaughlin Area for many years to come, Cllr Fitzgerald stated.

The first burial will take place in the cemetery on Monday when former Garda Commissioner, Laurence Wren, who has family in the area, is laid to rest there.