Breaking New Ground:
Establishing Malta's First Crematorium  

The journey to bring Malta's first crematorium and memorial park to fruition is lengthy and challenging, largely due to the lack of established guidelines for cremation facilities in Malta. Camilleri Funeral Directors, part of Active Group, FIAT-IFTA National Member, submitted the first application for the crematorium over eight years ago, with a second submission in 2021 after the legislation was amended in 2019. The company’s most recent application, submitted in October 2024, adheres to the Malta Planning Authority’s new guidelines for crematoriums, which were released in September. The revised plans reflect the company’s dedication to adhering to regulatory standards and delivering a facility that fully addresses the needs of Malta’s residents.

The Camilleri Memorial Park & Crematorium is a significant project that seeks to establish Malta’s first cremation facility, catering to the modern needs and preferences of Maltese and Gozitan residents. This thoughtfully designed memorial site will span over 7,600 square meters near the back entrance of the Addolorata cemetery, opposite the new extension. Once complete, it will offer a serene, purpose-built space where people of all faiths, beliefs, and backgrounds can honor their departed loved ones with a dignified farewell.
Active's Managing Director, Johann Camilleri is adamant that the crematorium and memorial park is positioned in the best possible location to serve the needs of the Maltese islands in the most efficient manner and with the lowest possible impact on the environment in terms of traffic and air pollution. Moreover the company is planning to invest in the most advanced cremation and filtration systems, with the lowest possible emissions in conformance with the most stringent European standards and regulations.

“After 10 years in the making we are proud to unveil our latest plans for development of Malta’s first crematorium with memorial gardens. These designs envisage our commitment to creating a state of the art facility, providing the highest level of cremation services for the future needs of our islands, with utmost respect for the environment and the project’s surroundings.
We welcome all interested parties to contact us and find out more about our vision and the services we intend to offer at this facility.” - says Johann Camilleri, Managing Director of Active Group.

The Camilleri Memorial Park & Crematorium incorporates several carefully designed facilities that address the varied requirements of funeral ceremony or celebration of life, bereavement, commemoration, and family gatherings. The project includes:

• Crematorium Building: A discreet, 500-square-meter building will house the cremation equipment, mortuary, and cold storage facilities. The building has been designed to blend seamlessly with its natural surroundings, aiming to reduce its visual impact on the landscape.
• Multi-Faith Ceremony Hall: A 120-square-meter hall adaptable to various beliefs and traditions will serve as a chapel or ceremony room. This space allows family members to hold personalized memorial services. Options will be available to cater for the spiritual needs of Catholic, Hindu and all religions as well as humanists, atheists and non believers.
• Outdoor Memorial Gardens: Landscaped gardens will serve as a tranquil environment for scattering ashes, planting trees, burials or conducting small gatherings during or after the cremation service. These outdoor spaces will offer a peaceful place for reflection.
• Columbarium Options: Both indoor and outdoor columbaria will be available for providing a dignified, long-term storage option for ashes. Families will have the flexibility to choose between various columbarium settings, according to personal preferences or traditions.
• Viewing Rooms and Gathering Areas: Family members will be able to gather in ceremony and viewing rooms, where they can say a final goodbye prior to cremation. The facility will also feature outdoor spaces for family and friends to gather, enabling them to celebrate and remember their loved one’s life together.
• Parking and Accessibility: To ensure accessibility, the project includes underground and above-ground parking, designed to handle the needs of both small and large gatherings.

Active Group, with extensive experience in crematorium management across international locations, brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the project. Their role as the exclusive booking agent for Misterbianco Cremazioni in Catania has allowed them to refine their understanding of the cremation needs of Maltese citizens, which has directly influenced the thoughtful planning behind this new facility.

Approval for the Camilleri Memorial Park & Crematorium is anticipated in early 2025, with an operational launch targeted for 2026. Until then, residents of Malta continue to rely on the crematorium facility in Misterbianco, Catania, for cremation services. If the project proceeds as expected, the Camilleri Memorial Park & Crematorium will mark a new era for Malta, offering a respectful, comprehensive, and environmentally considerate option for end-of-life arrangements.

If you would like to read more, please visit: https://www.camillerifuneraldirectors.com/crematorium-malta/