HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-01-07-CSCII-minRECEIVED
By Town Clerk at 5:30 pm, 5/19/26
Ad Hoc Crematory Study Committee 11
Minutes, Meeting of Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Parker Room, Town Office Building
5:00 PM
Mr. Pato, the Select Board liaison, serving as chair pro -tem called the meeting of the Ad Hoc Crematory
Study Committee II to order at 5:02pm on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, via a hybrid meeting platform.
Members Archan K Basu (remote until 5:15), Michael Harris, Jyoti Puri, Joseph Su, Dr Jillian Tung were
present. Rabbi David Lerner and Judith Zola were unavailable. Liaisons Lisah Rhodes, CEC and Anil Ahuja,
AC attended in person.
1) Minutes for 11/19/2025 meeting were approved unanimously.
2) Review changes in community desire/need for a local facility
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The group discussed the practice of cremation and its variations. They debated the need for
more rigorous data collection to understand community preferences and needs regarding
cremation options. While some suggested conducting focus groups or surveys, others
emphasized the importance of using statistically sound methods to avoid biased results. The
discussion highlighted the challenge of balancing qualitative insights with the need for
representative data to inform future decisions about cremation services in the community.
Discuss alkaline hydrolysis cremation aka aquamation - cultural/religious acceptability, cost,
personnel requirements, regulatory regime
The committee discussed alkaline hydrolysis, also known as water cremation, based on
research findings from facilities in Florida, Connecticut, and Maine. Jody shared insights
from conversations with funeral directors and environmental authorities, highlighting the
process's environmental benefits, regulatory considerations, and cost variations between
U.S. and European systems. The committee explored community needs and demand, with
Mike and others noting that while current cremation facilities have unused capacity, the
ability to provide 24/7 services and accommodate specific cultural practices, such as Hindu
rituals, is limited. Open questions remain about the legal framework for funeral directors
operating crematories and the potential for water cremation in Massachusetts.
4) Drafting a report
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The committee discussed the feasibility of implementing a crematory in Lexington, focusing
on equity issues, environmental concerns, and market conditions. While members agreed
that addressing community needs for cremation services is important, there was no
consensus on whether to pursue a new facility immediately. The group agreed to provide
written input on how to answer the specific question from their charter and identify key
elements for the report before their next meeting in mid-February.
Adjourn — 6:30pm
Minutes submitted by Joseph Pato, chair pro -tem.
Approved 2/18/2026
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