A specific policy which will allow the Planning Authority to assess and decide on standalone cremation facilities has been approved, the Planning Authority said in a statement.

"The new spatial policy and design guidance that pertain to crematoria should, in the coming years, reduce the pressure for cemetery extensions in the long term."

Cremation is a process that uses intense heat that turns the remains of a person who has died to ashes and may take about two hours.

"The process also involves the need for ash deposition to be followed in a dignified and respectful manner as an essential part of the funerary process." To date, the Maltese Islands do not have a crematorium and such funerary methods have to occur overseas at great expense for the families involved.

"The approved policy specifies that crematoria which will not form part of an existing cemetery may only be considered if they are located outside the development zone but up to 1 km from the boundary of the Principal Urban Area (PUA) for Malta. This should ensure that crematoria are located within the vicinity of the bulk of the population density limiting the proliferation into the rural countryside."

In Gozo, the siting of a crematorium is to be located around the Rabat/Xewkija area, the Planning Authority said.

"All proposals for standalone crematoria need to be supported by the Health Authorities for further consideration. Once these key criteria are satisfied, standalone crematoria will only be considered if they are located within a number of appropriate locations. Amongst other sites, this includes Areas of Containment and sites located in ODZ which are covered by a valid development permission not related to agriculture, animal husbandry, and/or similar rural development."

The policy identifies a number of sites where proposed standalone crematoria will not be permitted, for example sites of ecological importance, 300m from a ground water protection source, amongst many others.

"Every crematorium should have a front of house area of not more than 500sqm, intended for the parking of the hearse and ceremonial vehicles; an indoor ceremony building which cannot exceed a footprint of 500 sqm and a height of 7.7m, and an outdoor space designated for the scattering of ashes with a garden of remembrance."

"The open spaces and the garden of remembrance must be suitably landscaped with trees, shrubs and flowering and must provide a dignified and humane funerary space with walkways and water features. Lighting must be kept to the minimal possible."

The cremators must be equipped with the best available filtration and abatement technology systems to the satisfaction of ERA and the Superintendent of Public Health, and these are to be maintained to the best of standards, the authority said. "Electric cremators would also be preferred, as they reduce the carbon footprint and can be offset by RES installed on site."

In case of ceasing of operations as a crematorium, for a continuous period of three years, all buildings and structures shall be demolished at the expense of the landowner/operator and the whole site shall be rehabilitated to an environmentally acceptable natural state, the authority said.

The new approved policy for crematoria may be downloaded from the PA's website www.pa.org.mt.