Belair/Fort Hill residents
object to crematorium
BELAIR--Traffic congestion, possible toxic fumes and the constant reminder of the immolation of bodies are some of the reasons Belair and Spanish Fort Hill Community Council has objected to a crematorium in the neighbourhood.
Heavenly Song Crematorium N.V., the operator of Emerald Funeral Home in the area, has requested a change in its business licence to allow the operation of the island’s first crematorium.
The community council, using the right of public objection, outlined its issues with a crematorium in the area in a letter to the Executive Council on September 6. The letter, signed by President Clarence Richardson and Vice Secretary Benson Pompier, asserted that the area could not accommodate the additional traffic that comes with a crematorium.
Unlike a funeral where vehicles are moved to the cemetery or church, cars at a crematorium will clog traffic on Welgelegen Road for a longer time, they explained.
An isolated site, as required by law in the Netherlands, should be the site for a crematorium so there is no hindrance to the residential communities, according to the council. The suggestion is for Heavenly Song to look into a non-residential area or alternative location where residents will not be hampered by heavier than usual traffic.
Belair/Spanish Fort Hill is a community of some 140 homes, Learning Unlimited School, two sports and health facilities and St. Maarten Medical Center.
Aside from possible toxic emissions, the community council is concerned about the “emotional issues associated with a crematorium. Death is an emotional issue.” While the medical centre has an incinerator that emits smoke and there is a funeral home in the area, the council believes “a crematorium will be seen more as a burning centre for corpses. Residents do not want to be reminded that corpses are being burnt in their residential neighbourhood.”
Further the letter stated, “Knowing that our relative or friend can be going up in smoke while driving on Welgelegen Road or from our balconies will not give the community a restful feeling.”
Heavenly Song is one of two companies requesting a business licence to operate a crematorium. M&M Mortuary and Crematorium N.V. is seeking a licence to operate in Sucker Garden.
Both companies have maintained that the operations will be up to the highest available environmental and technological standards.
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