The Galway County Council has approved plans for an extension to Killimordaly Burial Ground.
The extension, which has been in planning for a number of years, finally clears the way for new plots at the east Galway cemetery.
For the past few years locals in the area have been forced to bury their loved ones elsewhere if they did not already have a grave available in the cemetery.
The extension had been delayed due to planning and environmental concerns, including a possible flood risk and its proximity to a Natura 2000 site.
However these issues have been addressed and the council agreed to grant permission for the extension under Part 8 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001.
Cllr Aidan Donohue, who proposed that the council adopt a report paving the way for planning permission, welcomed the development.
"The graveyard has run out of available plots," Cllr Donohue said. "Thankfully it has passed all the criteria involved. It is something that's urgent."
Cllr Michael Connolly said the extension was "long overdue".
