Pinelawn Memory Gardens

Pinelawn Memorial Park. The decision is not final yet. The proposal next goes to the Common Council on Feb. 6.(Photo: Submitted rendering)A Wauwatosa cemetery that wanted to begin doing cremations to keep up with changing trends in the funeral industry was denied a zoning amendment by the Common Council Feb. 6. The motion to deny the rezoning,12-2, followed the Wauwatosa Community Affairs Committee recommendation on Jan. 30 to deny a zoning text amendment to add cremation as an approved use for Pinelawn Memorial Park.  Cremations are rapidly increasing, in Wisconsin, where the cremation rate is over 50 percent said Christine Hentges, president of Pinelawn Memorial Park. "In order for to continue to operate as a progressive and beautiful cemetery in the community, we need to stay current with what our consumers are looking for," Hentges said. The use is currently not allowed in the district, according to meeting documents. If the zoning text amendment is approved other cemeteries in the city would be able to do the same thing.  Pinelawn Memorial Park requested the addition of cremating as a permitted use in the Special Purpose District - Parks and Open Space to accommodate future construction of such facility in Pinelawn Memorial Park. (Photo: Submitted rendering)There are three cemeteries in Wauwatosa: Pinelawn on Capitol Drive, Wauwatosa Cemetery on Wauwatosa Avenue, and Oak Hill Cemetery on Capitol Drive. At the November meeting, the Plan Commission reviewed this request and recommended approval of the code amendment as a conditional use when accessory to cemeteries, not a permitted use as requested by the applicant. The required public hearing was held before the Common Council on Jan. 16 with four people speaking in favor of the request, three speaking in opposition, and two who asked questions. Residents voice concerns On Jan. 30, Hentges said there are lots of misinformation about cremations and Pinelawn wanted to make sure facts are ... (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)