Cremation in Malta

Cremation in Malta

Cremation has become a popular choice for anyone not having their own private grave and not wishing to have their loved ones buried in a shared communal grave.

Cremation is viewed as a cleaner and more dignified alternative to burial. As at 2025, cremation is still not available in Malta although our company has submitted an application to build a Memorial Park and crematorium in Malta.

 

Cremation also allows for more creative farewell ceremonies and provides greater choice as to what is done with the ashes since these can be buried in a family grave, scattered at sea, kept at home or even interred in one’s own private garden.

In Malta, the demand for cremation has increased tenfold especially since the opening of the crematorium in Misterbianco, Catania. This crematorium in view of its close proximity to Catania airport, makes it easier for anyone wishing to attend the cremation of a loved one.

Nowadays we complete over 150 cremations a year, most of which are carried outings Misterbianco, Catania and others are done any country selected by the relatives.

When arranging a cremation service we take care of the complete arrangements, giving the family peace of mind and allowing them to cope with their loss. We will organise all technical and administrative formalities and co-ordinate all necessary logistics for safe and dignified air and ground transportation to the selected crematorium. If the family is not attending the cremation we will also look after return of the ashes to Malta and if desired we can also arrange a church funeral in Malta either before or after the cremation.

Cremation Options?

So what are the options for Maltese nationals and expatriates residing in Malta, wishing to be cremated?  At Camilleri Funeral Directors we offer different types of cremation services to meet the needs and preferences of our clients, depending on their particular circumstances.

Cremation in Sicily is our most popular and cost effective option, especially when the final resting place of the ashes is Malta. We hold a preferential agreement with the crematorium of Misterbianco in the vicinity of Catania airport, where we are able to arrange a complete and professional cremation service within 7 days at very reasonable costs.

We also offer an option for cremation in England whereby we can arrange all formalities and logistics for a cremation service to be carried out in association with our trusted funeral directors in England.

For clients residing overseas wishing to attend the cremation service in their home town, we can arrange a cremation service tailored to their needs.  The family would select a crematorium of their choice and we will take care of all necessary arrangements to deliver the coffin safely to their selected crematorium or funeral home anywhere in the world.

Cremation in Sicily

For our cremations in Sicily we partner with Misterbianco Cremazioni, Sicily’s most modern crematorium situated 20 minutes from Catania airport. We take care of all local and overseas arrangements for transfer to Catania and complete the cremation within 7 days.

Cremation in England

Our cremation services in England are carried out in partnership with our trusted funeral directors in the UK, providing professional cremation services and the possibility of delivering the ashes to any address in the United Kingdom.

Tailored Cremation Service

With our Tailored cremations, we help families decide on the best place to have the cremation. We will then take care of all arrangements, ground and air logistics for safe transportation of their loved one to the selected crematorium or funeral home at any location worldwide.

Register your wish for Cremation

If your wish is to be cremated, you can register yourself or close family member in advance, to ensure your wishes will be honoured with dignity and respect.

Registration is a quick and simple process. Our form will allow you to select the desired  options for the cremation and funeral services including preferred country of cremation, optional church service and more. We will store your wishes safely and in confidence for easy reference when the time comes to arrange the cremation.

The Registration fee is €295 incl. VAT which is fully deductible from the final cremation costs payable at the time.

Find out more information about registration your wish for cremation.

Cremation & Freight Services for Funeral Agencies in Malta

If you are a licensed funeral agency or undertaker in Malta and require assistance with organising a cremation service, we are here to help.  We assist funeral directors with any required support and organise all necessary travel and cremation arrangements to help you complete cremation services for your clients.

As exclusive agents in Malta for a number of crematoriums and as we are also an airline freight and cargo booking agency, we can look after all documentation, airfreight and  cremation services on your behalf, allowing you to support your clients with organising all the remaining local funeral, transport and church services.

Why is Cremation not available in Malta?

In 2017, Active Group, the holding company of Camilleri Funeral Directors, submitted the first application to build a crematorium in Malta.  The plan included a funeral home, crematorium, columbariums and memorial gardens spread over a 7,500 sqm plot of land owned by the company, adjacent to the back entrance of the Addolorata Cemetery. The application was refused as at the time Malta had no law to regulate cremation.

The Cremation law was passed in 2019 and Camilleri submitted new and improved plans  in 2020 with the intention of making cremation in Malta a possibility. To date, there is still no approved permit to build or operate a crematorium in Malta, however the government announced that by Summer 2022 it will decide on the way forward for cremation in Malta.

In October 2024, following the final guidelines issued by MEPA, the company submitted new plans and designs for the intended Memorial Park & Crematorium. The application is being processed and it is hoped approval will be granted in 2026 so cremation in Malta may become possible by 2028.

 

At Camilleri Funeral Directors we are hoping our application will be approved by early 2025 with a view of having our own crematorium up and running by 2026.  Until then we shall continue to provide complete, caring and dignified cremation services at our partner crematoriums overseas.