Cyprus to build its first crematorium in Paphos

Golden Leaves Cyprus Crematorium Limited has secured the final planning permit for the construction of the first crematorium in Cyprus. The facility will be located in Agia Varvara, Paphos. The project will cover over 1,000 square meters within a 11,000-square-meter site. Construction is expected to commence by September, with completion targeted for 2027 and an official estimated completion date in 2028. The total construction cost is projected at €4 million. Maureen Watt, a funeral director who has been campaigning for this project since 2008 alongside Clive Turner, stated the facility addresses the needs of non-Orthodox communities on the island. For nearly two decades, advocates have lobbied for the establishment of a legal cremation option in Cyprus to respect the last wishes of deceased individuals. The project follows years of petitioning and government engagement regarding the lack of such facilities.