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Zoning to hold public hearing on crematorium application
The Saipan Zoning Office will be holding a public hearing this Thursday on a conditional use permit application for a funeral home with crematory services that will be situated in Beach Road near Aquarius Beach Hotel.
The operator of the proposed crematorium earlier chose to withdraw its application due to the district of Chalan Kanoa being prohibited from having any funeral homes under Saipan Zoning Law of 2013 and several issues regarding the environment and parking.
However, in August this year, House Local Bill 18-55 amended the Saipan Zoning Law of 2013 to allow funeral homes or crematoria in Chalan Kanoa. That bill is now Saipan Local Law 18-20.
The operator of the proposed crematorium is reportedly Borja Funeral Homes.
If the plan pushes through, this will be the first ever crematorium in the CNMI. Residents who have sough cremation for their loved ones who’ve passed away would usually ship the remains to Guam.
One resident said he is not too sure of having crematory services on island due to the traditional custom of burying the dead.
“I don’t think local residents are ready to see the cremation of their loved ones. We don’t necessarily need cremation services near our residences as well,” he said.
Another resident said the concept is not new to her. “I think it is better, because if you look at the cemetery near Mt. Carmel Cathedral, it seems too crowded, it is crowded enough. Where will they bury dead people if it becomes more crowded? This is better,” she said.
