Fayette County

City council approves crematorium in downtown Fayetteville

By Carl Willis
By Carl Willis

FAYETTE COUNTY, Ga. — The City of Fayetteville has been discussing a proposed crematorium for years, and Thursday the city council approved a special exception for the building.

Mowell and Son Funeral Home will be allowed to build a crematorium near the heart of downtown and next to a park after previously being denied.

The crematorium would be behind the funeral home on North Jeff Davis Drive.

"I think it's a great thing for us to be able to meet the needs of our community," said funeral home vice president David Mowell.

Some residents are concerned that the crematorium doesn't fit with the city's development plans.

Others are concerned about mercury emissions and children's safety at the park playground.

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"Georgia state law doesn't have a lot of regulations on crematoriums, so we don't know what's going to come into play," said resident Tara Borkowski.

Borkowsi is a vocal opponent of the crematorium.

"I've just seen too many horror stories," she said.

Other residents said they support the crematorium.

"It's a service that we as a community need, and I see a desire for it more and more," one neighbor said.

The funeral home owners said 43 percent of their business last year was cremations.

"We've been doing it for about 10 years now, so I'm ready,"  Mowell said.

Mowell said residents should not worry.

"Let them do their research. Let them find out that the mercury emissions are very, very minimal, to make sure they know we are a trusted family business that's been in operation for 53 years now," he said.

The soil at the park will be tested as part of the agreement.

Cox Media Group

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