Beltsville Residents Raise Concerns Over Planned Crematorium

Community worries about health risks and property values near schools and daycares

Apr. 7, 2026 at 12:39pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An abstract, blurred photograph showing the faint outline of a residential neighborhood with a funeral home in the distance, captured in a hazy, dreamlike style that conveys a sense of melancholy and unease.A community's concerns over a proposed crematorium's impact on health and property values expose the need for transparent planning processes that prioritize public well-being.Beltsville Today

A Beltsville, Maryland resident has written a letter to the editor expressing strong concerns from the community about the recent approval of a special zoning exception to build a crematorium attached to an existing funeral home. The letter cites potential health risks from crematorium emissions, as well as worries about the impact on property values and the lack of transparency in the approval process.

Why it matters

The proposed crematorium location is within a 5-mile radius of multiple schools and daycare facilities, raising concerns about exposure to harmful pollutants for vulnerable populations like children. Residents also fear the crematorium could negatively impact property values and quality of life in the heavily residential area.

The details

The letter writer, Rhonda Pavel, states that while funeral services are important, the crematorium's proximity to schools and daycares poses serious health, safety, and ethical questions. Crematorium emissions can include pollutants like dioxins and particulate matter that are harmful, especially to children, pregnant women, seniors, and those with pre-existing conditions. The smoke and odor from cremations can also be offensive and risky. Pavel urges local authorities to reconsider the zoning approval, conduct an environmental impact assessment, and explore alternative locations further from residential and educational areas.

  • The special zoning exception for the crematorium was recently granted by the Prince George's County Planning Department.

The players

Rhonda Pavel

A Beltsville, Maryland resident who wrote a letter to the editor expressing concerns from the community about the planned crematorium.

Thomas Dernoga

The county councilman for District 1 in Prince George's County, Maryland, where Beltsville is located.

Prince George's County Planning Department

The local government agency that granted the special zoning exception to allow the crematorium to be built.

Borgwardt's Funeral Home

The existing funeral home in Beltsville that plans to attach a crematorium to its facility.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Although all required regulatory processes were followed in filing for this special zoning exception which was granted, the dissemination of information to the residents of Beltsville was to a relatively small audience.”

— Rhonda Pavel, Beltsville Resident

“In light of these concerns, I and other concerned residents, urge local authorities and planning officials to reconsider the zoning decision and conduct a thorough environmental impact assessment, and also make the greater Beltsville Community aware of all plans regarding the proposed construction and health concerns.”

— Rhonda Pavel, Beltsville Resident

What’s next

Rhonda Pavel and other concerned Beltsville residents are urging the county councilman, Thomas Dernoga, to hold community meetings to discuss the proposed crematorium and allow residents to voice their objections. They are also asking Dernoga to place the project on hold until the community is satisfied with the findings of an environmental impact assessment.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of transparent community planning processes and prioritizing public health and safety concerns, especially when it comes to the placement of potentially hazardous facilities near sensitive locations like schools and daycares. Residents are rightfully concerned about the lack of information sharing and the potential risks the crematorium poses to their community.