What is the percentage of cremation to conventional burial?
FMJ: Cremation is a growing alternative. It is half the cost of conventional burial and that is because the ash might take up little or no space. Some people keep it at home in an urn and some sprinkle it outdoors. We offer both because we own two of the three crematoriums in Jamaica – one at Dovecot Park in St. Catherine and one in St. James. BE: Do families watch the cremation process? FMJ: Mostly Indians, since it’s a part of their culture; but cremation is a growing preference here. Like any other business we have to keep abreast of the latest trends. BE: Is your investment in a cemetery and crematorium a viable investment and how have you sustained the growth of Madden’s as one of the top funeral directing businesses in Jamaica over the years? FMJ: The last 27 years saw us having a problem because we were retained to operate the public morgue on behalf of the Government. This tarnished our reputation because people got the perception that the bodies of our clients were going to be
