ST. GEORGE — Washington City Council at it March 22 meeting unanimously approved a request from a local funeral services provider to become the city’s second crematorium.
HeartLight Affordable Funeral Services had requested a change to a city ordinance that relates to health and safety of citizens to allow for a crematorium, “which meets all state and local regulations pertaining to crematoriums, and which also has a crematorium unit/system that is less than five years old at time of application approval.”
While the city’s code did not ban crematoriums, there was also no language stating they were permitted in certain areas.
At the March 22 meeting, city council members discussed the planning commission’s recommendation that crematoriums be approved for commercial-zoned C3 property in the city on a “conditional use permit.”
“Currently, the city does not list funeral home or crematorium in any of the commercial zoning districts — permitted uses or conditional uses,” Development Director Drew Ellerman said. “The planning commission said they are fine with it being a conditional use.”
Future crematoriums will face conditional use restrictions of “a limited burning system that is five years old or newer at the time of city approval.”
Funeral home owner Rulon Olsen told the council his Washington City crematorium would use the latest technology that monitors emissions and prevents smoke and odor from being released by the incendiary system.
Olsen noted that in 2021, nearly 43% of all Utahns who died were cremated. That number is expected to rise to 50% by 2026.
HeartLight currently operates 20 funeral homes and crematoriums in Utah using technology that was “approved for installation by the Utah Department of Environmental Quality.” Olsen said his company also provides crematory services to the state of Utah for indigent deaths.
“This particular unit is monitored by the manufacturer minute-by-minute,” Olsen told the council of the equipment to be used at his Washington facility. “If it falls out of alignment in any way, it shuts down. That’s the uniqueness about this particular style of crematory.”
City Attorney Thad Seegmiller said the city could approve use within zones in the city, but it was ultimately up to state and federal regulators to monitor and issue rules regarding the disposal of the dead in Utah. Councilman Bret Henderson asked Olsen how the council could be sure these systems would be up-to-date in 20 years.
“The cost to operate them becomes so prohibitive that you have to replace them,” Olsen said.
When asked about possible odors, Olsen said the public generally has a negative perception regarding crematoriums. The system he is purchasing to use in Washington City is made by manufacturer Matthews Environmental Solutions and emits three times less particulates and odor than both state and federal regulators require.
“This particular unit is 75% cleaner than even what the guideline is,” he said. “For particulate emissions, or odors, it is 97% cleaner than what is required.”
Upon the funeral home’s request, the council amended conditional uses for commercially zoned properties to include both funeral homes and crematoriums by a unanimous vote.
“It is every citizen’s right to ask the council for an ordinance to be amended,” Ellerman told those in attendance.
Residents can watch past and live city council meetings on the YouTube channel Washington City Utah, the official channel for Washington City.
Editor’s note: Correction was made to reflect that this will be the second crematorium in the city. Apollo Cremation and Burial, formerly Heideman Cremation, is operated by Hughes Mortuary of St. George and located in Washington City on Industrial Road as a cremation-only facility.
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