Abbey Funeral Directors

The rate of cremation is expected to increase by 30 percent over the next 18 years, according to a report from The National Funeral Directors Association. The federation estimated that the national cremation rate will reach 80 percent by 2035.In South Carolina, that rate should reach just above 77 percent. S.C. funeral directors are seeing the uptick.“When I began work here (in Clinton) at Gray Funeral Home in 1984, we probably handled one to two cremations a year. Last year, we handled approximately 100 cremations," said Homer Elwood, the home's director who also serves as president of the S.C. Funeral Directors Association.Funeral directors say costs are a big factor. People who don't want to spend thousands of dollars on a casket, funeral arrangements and a burial plot opt for a cremation often because the only cost can be limited to the cremation itself."People look at it as more of an economical choice," Elwood said.Some see it as a way to save from the emotional stress of planning a funeral. With a cremation, a family does not have to worry about a casket, hearse or getting a police escort, said Father Jeff Kirby, the moral theologian for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston."It’s easier on the family when a loved one is passed away to have the person cremated," Kirby said.Another contributing factor has been the Catholic Church's position on the issue. Historically, the church was against cremation because it was viewed the practice as dishonorable to the body. The church switched its position in the issue in 1963 as it realized that "someone could be cremated while honoring their bodies," Kirby said.That includes placing the remains in an urn in a sacred space, like a church columbarium or cemetery.Today, the denomination is accommodating people whose bodies return to ashes after death.Kirby's church, Our Lady of Grace in Indian Land, built a columbarium two years ago that hosts 64 niches that are all filled with cremated remains. The church plans...

Remains are reposing at his residence  until 10pm (Sunday) and on Monday from 2pm until 10pm.  House private at all other times.   Remains will arrive in St. Patrick's Church, Ballyshannon on Tuesday for 12 noon Funeral Mass followed by interment in St. Ninnidh's Cemetery, Bundoran. Sister Columbanus Horan formerly of Loreto Convent, Milford and Loreto Convent, Letterkenny The death has taken place of Sister Columbanus Horan formerly of Loreto Convent, Milford and Loreto Convent, Letterkenny. Her remains will repose in the Convent Chapel in Bray Co. Wicklow on Monday from 3pm with evening prayer at 5.15pm and removal to the Holy Redeemer Parish Church, Bray arriving at 6pm. Funeral Mass on Tuesday at 12 noon. Burial afterwards in Abbey House Cemetery, Rathfarnham. Anne O’ Donnell, Carrickataskin, Gaoth Dobhair The death has occurred at the Donegal Hospice of Anne O’ Donnell, Carrickataskin, Gaoth Dobhair. Her remains are reposing this evening (Sunday) at Gaoth Dobhair Funeral Home until 9pm this evening and tomorrow from 10am to 12 noon. Funeral Mass in St. Mary’s Chapel, Derrybeg on Monday at 1pm with burial afterwards in Magheragallen cemetery. Family flowers only. Donations in lieu to the Donegal Hospice. Christopher McGettigan, Castlederg and Kilmacrennan  The sudden death has occurred of Christopher McGettigan (aged 19), 13, Ashburn Park, Castlederg, Tyrone and Kilmacrennan. Beloved son of Brendan and Marian, much loved brother of Francesca, Antoinette, Brendan and Martin.  Requiem Mass on Tuesday, December 11 at 2pm in St. Patrick’s Church, Castlederg. Interment afterwards in the adjoining churchyard. The house is private please to family, friends and neighbours from 12 noon to 10pm on Sunday and Monday.   Con Murray, Fortwell, Lower Main Street, Letterkenny The death has occurred of Con Murray, Fortwell, Lower Main Street, Letterkenny. Funeral arrangements to be confirmed later. Willie Magee 16 Meenas...

Leitrim - Joe Doherty, Ballyboe, Ture, Muff - Liam Duffy, formerly of Inishfree Island - Josephine Gallagher, Carrickmagrath, Ballybofey - Mary Gibson, Milean, Drumbarnett, Manorcunningham  John McGahern, Coolcholly, Donegal Road, Ballyshannon The death has occurred of  John McGahern, Coolcholly, Donegal Road, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal.  Funeral to arrive at St. Patrick’s Church, Ballyshannon, for 11am Mass of the Resurrection today with interment in the Abbey Assaroe Cemetery.  Family flowers only, donations in lieu, if so desired, to the Parkinson’s Society and Pallative Care Team c/o Patrick McKenna Funeral Directors, Ballyshannon, or any family member.  House private to family this morning please. Paddy Duffy, Drumaweir, Greencastle The sudden death has taken place at his home of Paddy Duffy, Drumaweir, Greencastle. Remains reposing at his home. Funeral from there on Monday, December 3rd at 10.15 a.m. for 11 a.m. Requiem Mass in St. Mary’s Church, Ballybrack, followed by burial in adjoining graveyard. Family flowers only donations to Croí heart and chest foundation c/o Liam Collins or any family member. All enquiries to Liam Collins, Funeral Director. Josephine Gallagher, Carrickmagrath, Ballybofey The death has occurred of Josephine Gallagher, Carrickmagrath, Ballybofey. Funeral Leaving her home on Sunday, December 2 at 10.20am for Requiem Mass in St.Mary’s Church, Sessiaghoneill at 11 am, with interment afterwards in the adjoining Churchyard. Donations in lieu of flowers,if so desired,to the Donegal Hospice, care of any family member. The House is Private at the request of the deceased. Joe Molloy, Dawros Bay House, Portnoo, formerly of Leaconnell, Ardara The death has occurred of Joe Molloy, proprietor of Dawros Bay House, Rosbeg, Portnoo and formerly of Leaconnell, Ardara. Funeral from his late residence on Sunday 2nd December at 1.20 p.m. for Mass at 2 p.m. in St. Cona...