Irish people are obsessed with RIP.ie because we ‘grieve the best in the world’, a funeral director has claimed. 

This week, The Irish Times announced it had acquired the death notices site as it expands its digital platform.

Founded in 2005 by Gradam Communications, the site racks up some 60 million page views every single month - something that comes as no surprise to McGowan’s Funeral Director Brid McGowan.

“In Ireland, we are so seeped in the culture of death and funerals,” she told Lunchtime Live.

“I believe we grieve the best in the world; we do funerals best.

“A big part of the funeral is spending time with the deceased person and it helps your grieving so much.”

Ms McGowan said another factor why people check the site so often is the short period between someone’s death and their funeral in Ireland.

“I just think people are always looking on RIP.ie because they are just so afraid of missing a funeral because it’s so important to us here,” she said.

“We all want to jump in and help each other out; I think it’s just in our nature that we want to jump in and help others.”

The funeral of a priest, Holy Cross, Ardoyne, Belfast. (Dermot Blackburn / Alamy Stock Photo)

Irish Times Group Managing Director Deirdre Veldon described the acquisition as a natural evolution in its coverage.

“The Irish Times Group has a long tradition of publishing death and other family notices going back to the mid-1800s and we know how much these services matter to people,” Ms Veldon said.

“This tradition aligns with RIP.ie and we look forward to continuing to provide those services on our digital and print platforms for the people of Ireland at home and overseas into the future.

“As reader habits change, we are constantly looking at ways to enhance and diversify our portfolio. By harnessing the reach and compelling content of RIP.ie, The Irish Times aims to unlock new opportunities for audience engagement and digital growth.”

RIP.ie founder Jay Coleman said Gradam Communications is “immensely proud” of the website and described The Irish Times as a “worthy custodian” that will allow the site grow in the years ahead.

Main image: A funeral in rural Ireland.