Officials say stopping cremations is only option before new facility opens

Reykjavík Cemeteries manager Ingvar Stefánsson has apologised for the disruption caused to residents near the Fossvogur crematorium, mbl.is reports. He said the organisation was doing everything possible to take their concerns into account, but that replacing the facility’s emissions-control equipment and building a new crematorium were the state’s responsibility.

The Fossvogur crematorium is the only operating crematorium in Iceland. Residents have complained of heavy smoke entering their homes when wind conditions are unfavourable. The facility’s equipment is nearly 80 years old and has deteriorated.

Asked whether anything could be changed in the cremation process before a new crematorium is built, Stefánsson said the only option would be to stop cremations at Fossvogur. That would be difficult because around half of all deceased people in Iceland are now cremated, and mortuaries would quickly become full.

He said it was not possible to replace the emissions-control equipment at the existing crematorium because modern equipment that meets current standards would not fit inside the building.

A new crematorium is planned for Gufunes cemetery and is expected to open by the end of next year, according to Stefánsson. Reykjavík Cemeteries has highlighted the need for improvements for more than 20 years, he said.

“This is an important infrastructure service, but it has not been within our power to replace the emissions-control equipment or build a new crematorium,” Stefánsson said. He added that cremations were carried out in the evening and at night to minimise disruption, although smoke could still affect residents in some cases.