Laois burial plots to be sold on line on costly website

Laois graveyard plots may soon be available to choose and buy online, as part of a new website.

Laois County Council has announced plans for a new online cemetery directory for Laois, that may include the option to buy a final resting place.

Finance Director Gerry Murphy revealed the details, at the council's annual budget meeting.

There will be €57,500 set aside for the new online system in 2024. 

"We need to get the cemetery registers digitised. We want to tie this in with a payment, and possibly pay for plots online. Merging the two systems together. It is something we are looking at. Work has already been done in relation to this," the finance director said.

In total the council plans to spend €411,500 maintaining its burial grounds around Laois.

There will be €70,000 spent replacing footpaths that are cemetery trip hazards in Timahoe, Mountrath, Rathdowney, Shanahoe and Portlaoise.  

Portlaoise cemetery will get another €75,250 of investment, there will be €79,000 spent on new works in various cemeteries, €23,750 on caretaking/payroll/miscellaneous, €20,000 given in municipal district funding, and €26,000 given in grants. A final €60,000 will be transferred to a capital account.

Charity boost as Laois Offaly courts distribute €121, 000 from Poor Box

Electric Picnic drug payments hit €70,000 in 2023

However uptake on the only burial wall for ashes of loved ones in Laois remains low, with only four slots out of 80 sold at €1,400 each, since it opened over a year ago in St Peter & Paul's cemetery. 

Cllr Willie Aird said it was not surprising.

 "I welcome the extra money for the cemetery in Portlaoise. On the Columbarium wall, I'm not surprised. I question the money you charge, it's only a little urn," he said.