Residents Oppose Crematory in Peachtree Corners

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Peachtree Corners residents came out in large numbers Tuesday to voice their opposition to a request by a local funeral business to add a crematory.

Crowell Brothers Funeral Home has requested a special-use permit to add the crematory within its current facility, located at 5051 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard.

The Gwinnett Daily Post reported several residents showed up at Tuesday’s City Council meeting to voice their concerns about health, pollution and the proximity of the proposed crematory.

Tuesday was the first read of the request by Council. A second read and public hearing is scheduled for Oct. 21, according to the meeting agenda.

“Nobody wants a crematory across the street from their house,” one resident told the Council, according to the Post’s report.

The owner of the funeral home told WSB-TV that he understands resident concerns, but the demand for cremation is growing. He told the TV station 44 percent of the families coming to Crowell Brothers are requesting cremation. The business currently offers the service using another company.

“We are battling perception,” Jeff Crowell told WSB, “and 99 percent of most cases is because people just don’t understate the process of cremating someone.”

If approved, the funeral home would have to adhere to certain stipulations beyond state and federal regulations, including only operating during regular business hours, serving only on-site customers, and no exterior advertising of crematory services.

Read more here:

• Public gives input on proposed Peachtree Corners crematory (GDP)
• Peachtree Corners neighbors fight proposed crematory (WSB-TV)