Brandon Beach Seeks To Expand Distance Requirements For Crematories

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Georgia State Senator Brandon Beach (R-Alpharetta) on Tuesday said he plans to file a bill addressing the distance between crematories and neighborhoods.

Currently crematories can operate 1,000 feet from a residential neighborhood, a distance Beach wants to expand.

The proposed legislation will require all crematories to operate a minimum distance of 2,000 feet from residential areas, and will also strike the term “stand-alone crematory” from the Georgia code.

“Over the last two years, the residents of District 21 have faced three new proposed crematories,” the Senator said. “All three locations were highly contested by area residents. Similar protests are occurring all over the state.”

Beach’s announcement follows residential opposition to Cherokee County Commissioner Brian Poole’s plans to build a funeral home with a crematory component at the corner of Rose Creek Drive and Eagle Drive in Towne Lake.

Poole has since announced he will relocate the crematory to another location while moving forward with plans to build the funeral home in Towne Lake.

“It is clear to me and my constituents that our current law needs to be revised to address the trending changes,” he said.

See also:

• Amid Outcry, Poole Seeks Another Location For Funeral Home
• Towne Lake Residents Fight Proposed Funeral Home, Crematorium

Like any business the funeral home industry has changed significantly over the years. In the past, crematories were typically a stand-alone business. Now, with the increased number of people choosing cremation many funeral homes are now including an on-site crematory.

“While there is science to support both sides of the health issues stemming from the emissions of today’s crematories, we must err on the side of caution for the residents of Georgia,” said Sen. Beach. “I recall when I was growing up that we were assured that asbestos would not be harmful to our health, and we are all aware now that was proven not to be true.”

In addition to drafting the legislation, Sen. Beach plans to hold a town hall meeting with Cherokee County Commission Chairman Buzz Ahrens and County Commissioner Scott Gordon in the next few weeks to discuss this issue with area residents.

The date and location will be announced at a later date.

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Photo credit: Georgia General Assembly