A proposal to convert a former VFW post in Reddick into an environmentally friendly facility that uses water-based cremation for deceased domestic animals and small livestock is heading to the Marion County Board of County Commissioners for a final decision next week.
Paula Dempsey and Ted Stone will present their request for a special use permit to allow alkaline hydrolysis, commonly known as aquamation, at 19241 N US Highway 441 in Reddick to the board during its planning and zoning meeting on Wednesday, June 17.
The 1.55-acre property, which previously operated as the Orange lake VFW Post 10733, currently holds a community business zoning classification.
On May 27, the Marion County Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the application during its regular meeting.
The commission’s vote came after multiple members of the community voiced concerns regarding the new facility, asking questions about where the wastewater would go, whether it would affect their drinking water or nearby Orange Lake, and expressing fears about hazardous spills, potential odors, and future expansion of the use.
Despite those concerns, the commission voted four to zero to recommend approval of the permit with strict conditions in place to protect the surrounding environment.
County staff documents describe aquamation as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional flame-based cremation. The process utilizes a combination of water, heat, and alkaline chemicals to safely speed up the natural decomposition process. The method neutralizes the strong basic chemicals, leaving behind sterile wastewater and calcium phosphate bone remains.
Following the cycle, the remaining bones are pulverized into a powder, similar to traditional cremation ash, and returned to the pet owners.
The applicants plan to utilize an aquamation system that resembles a large deep freezer. The machine can hold a maximum weight of 550 pounds, averaging about fourteen pets per cycle, and takes twenty four hours to complete the process.
Each animal will be placed in an individually tagged compartment for strict identification. The facility will handle standard domestic pets such as dogs and cats, as well as small livestock up to the size of a goat.
The proposed business will operate on a wholesale model rather than a retail model. This means the facility will not have public hours and no funeral or memorial services will be conducted on site. Instead, the operators will work directly with local veterinary offices.
To address the environmental concerns raised by staff and the public, the county has outlined several strict conditions for the facility.
Firstly, the operators are prohibited from draining the aquamation effluent into the property’s existing septic system or wastewater utilities. All wastewater produced by the process must be securely captured, stored in tanks, and completely removed off the premises.
Additionally, all processing and storage associated with the operation must be conducted entirely indoors.
The owners must also maintain a spill containment and hazard management plan on file with the county.
The Marion County Board of County Commissioners will make a final ruling on the special use permit during its upcoming meeting on Wednesday, June 17.
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