An article in the Daily Times of Maryville, Tennessee, that you can read here announced that the Smith Funeral and Cremation Service has successfully applied for, and been approved, to add a crematory in their existing funeral home inside the city limits of Maryville.  Owners Jason Chambers and C. Lynn Gibson indicated that the cremation rate for Blount County has now exceeded 41%.

The approval passed on a 4-0 vote and Chambers noted that the facility would require licensing from the Tennessee Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers and meet air quality requirements of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.

Funeral Director Daily take:  We’ve included this article in our news simply because it shows, that even in the face of some obstacles, crematories – when properly presented to the governing body can get approval in dense areas.

Just recently we followed a case in which a funeral home was denied its crematory in an area where there was a senior living campus.  Most citizen opposition comes with the idea that the air quality will be degraded.

We think – when looking for zoning approval on any type of project – it is best if you educate the voters and neighbors with the facts before you apply for the permit.  If you can educate them outside of a public forum – like at a informational meeting at your funeral home – you may disarm them, put away their fears, and have an easier time when you appear before the public body.

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