The government of Antigua and Barbuda is encouraging cremation as an alternative to traditional burials, but no legislative amendments have been made to regulate or mandate the practice.
Speaking at the Post-Cabinet Press Briefing, Chief of Staff Lionel Hurst acknowledged the growing interest in cremation but confirmed that the legal framework remains unchanged.
“At present, if someone wishes to be cremated, the body must be sent to St. Kitts or Grenada, and the ashes returned to Antigua and Barbuda,” he explained.
The government had previously advocated for a joint crematorium to be established, but both major funeral homes have opted to develop their own independent facilities instead.
“They have indicated that they wish to operate their own crematoriums rather than a shared one,” Hurst noted.
The push for cremation comes as the government seeks to preserve land for other uses and modernize burial practices.
However, without updated legislation, it remains an individual choice rather than a regulated option.
Officials expect that once local cremation facilities are established, more residents will consider it as a viable alternative. However, no timeline has been provided for when these facilities will become operational.
