Crematory Workgroup 2026

Crematory Workgroup 2026

On June 4, 2026, Special Act No. 26-33 was approved by Governor Lamont.  This special act requires the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) to establish a working group consisting of state and municipal officials, manufacturer representatives, funeral and cremation service industry representatives, and other experts in the field of cremation and air emissions.

The purpose of the workgroup is to evaluate mercury vapor emissions and fine particulate matter emissions factors associated with crematories used for human remains and to develop recommendations for the use of such emissions factors in the review of permit applications, registrations and other approvals issued pursuant to Section 22a-174 of the general statutes. 

No later than January 15, 2027, the working group shall submit a report to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to the environment. Such report shall include the findings and recommendations of the working group, including any legislative recommendations.

Questions related to the workgroup can be sent to jaimeson.sinclair@ct.gov.

Workgroup Members

• Jaimeson Sinclair - Division Director, Air Engineering, DEEP
• Olivia Harris - APCE 2, Air Engineering - Permits, DEEP 
• Jordanna Gravely - APCE 2, Air Engineering - SSCG, DEEP
• David Kallander - Toxicologist, CT Dept. of Health
• Michael J. Introvigne - Treasurer, Connecticut Funeral Directors Association
• Mary Anne Hawthorne - Executive Director, Cedar Hill Cemetery
• Robert Fournier - Owner, Gilman & Vivaldi Family of Funeral Homes and Crematories
• Frank Carmon - Owner, Carmon Family Funeral Homes
• Barbara Kemmis, CAE - Executive Director, Cremation Association of North America
• Rob Paraniuk - Sr. Outside Sales Rep, Matthews International
• Christopher J. Ecsedy - Principal, CJE Environmental LLC
• Alex Eisen-Cuadra, PhD - CEO, Achieve Environmental
  
  
  

Past Meetings:

Upcoming Meetings:

Helpful Background Information and Data Sources

Existing DEEP Crematory Guidance and Default Emission Factors:

• New Source Review Permit Application Guidance for Crematory Units (rev. 3/27/2024)
• Default Mercury Emission Factors for Permit Reviews (rev. 5/8/2019) 

Data Source References for existing DEEP Crematory Guidance Documents:

• Review and Recommended Update of DAQ Emission Factors for Human Crematories
  (NC DENR, Division of Air Quality, June 30, 2009)
• Quantifying Mercury Emissions Resulting From Cremation of Dental Amalgam in Minnesota
  (Dr. Sandra Myers, September 15, 2015)
• Mercury Emissions from the Cremation of Human Remains
  (BAAQMD Permit Handbook, Section 11.6, June 6, 2017)
• Uncontrolled Emissions Factors for Refuse Combustors Other than Municipal Waste, Industrial/Commercial, Multiple Chamber
  (AP-42, Table 2.1-12, October 1996)
• Uncontrolled Emissions Factors for Medical Waste Incinerator
  (AP-42, Tables 2.3-1 and 2.3-2, July 1993)

Page Last Updated: July 29, 2026