The government of Antigua and Barbuda has been discussing the need for a crematorium on the island since 2017 to alleviate the burden of finding land space to bury the deceased as the population continues to grow.

Two funeral homes have shown interest in constructing their own crematoriums since the government’s initial engagement with at least one funeral home over the plan.

Although the government was ready to change the law to permit crematoriums, talks with a group of Canadian businesswomen to build a crematorium broke down over cost concerns.

Now, the funeral homes have reconsidered the idea of building their own crematoriums.

Barnes Funeral Home plans to build along Factory Road on a new piece of land, while the other business has not disclosed its location.

While a single crematorium would solve the problem, both businesses have decided to operate their own crematoriums separately.

There has been no major update as to when Tomlinson’s Cemetery would become operational as the fence needs to be completed, along with the construction of public bathrooms, an administrative building for burial technicians, and other structures.