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About Coast river business journal. (Astoria, OR) 2006-current | View Entire Issue (July 20, 2022)
6 • JULY 2022 BUSINESS NEWS COAST RIVER BUSINESS JOURNAL Local funeral home expands burial, cremation services By LUKE WHITTAKER Coast River Business Journal LONG BEACH — New eco-friendly burial, cremation and funeral services are now being off ered by a family-owned mortuary business in Long Beach. The new off erings — including green burial, water cremation and natural organic reduction — were introduced during an open house tour at Pent- tila’s Chapel by the Sea in late June, where owner Eric Anderson, funeral director Melissa Meadow and executive assistant Olivia Anderson welcomed the community to tour the recently renovated busi- ness, located at 1515 Pacifi c Ave. South in Long Beach. Water cremation Among the newer services off ered is water cre- mation, sometimes called alkaline hydrolysis or liq- uid cremation, a water-based, “ cleaner and greener” method of cremation. Water cremation combines a gentle water fl ow, an even temperature, and alkalinity to accelerate the breakdown of organic materials without direct emission of harmful greenhouse gases and toxins. No fossil fuels are used. Water cremation is the Penttila’s Chapel By the Sea Funeral Home Eric Anderson, owner 1515 Pacifi c Ave. South, Long Beach 360-642-8885 penttilaschapel.com same process that occurs in nature when a loved one’s body is laid to rest in the ground, although at a faster rate. “We have our own crematorium [on-site] but we take our water cremation clients to a facility in Kent. It’s a more eco-friendly version of cremation. The machines are about $250,000 but my hope is to get water cremation out here on the Long Beach Penin- sula in the next fi ve years,” Meadow said. “Right now there’s only one [water cremation] machine in Washington. We escort the body to the facility and stay with them until the procedure is done, about four hours, then we bring the cremated remains back for the family. There’s no emissions or fossil fuels used — you’re 85% water anyway. The See Page 7 APPLIANCE PACKAGE DEALS Over 30 years Mattresses, in Clatsop Furniture and More! County! Flame cremation is off ered on-site, and remains among the most popular services. APPLIANCE AND HOME FURNISHINGS 529 SE MARLIN, WARRENTON 503-861-0929 Hours Open: Mon-Fri 8-6 • Saturday 9-5 • Sunday 10-4 We Service What We Sell PHOTOS BY LUKE WHITTAKER LEFT: Among the newer cremation services off ered is water Cremation, sometimes called alkaline hydrolysis or liquid cremation, a water-based, sus- tainable method of fi nal disposition. RIGHT: New options — including green burial, water cremation and natural organic reduction — were introduced during an open house tour at Penttila’s Chapel by the Sea in late June, where owner Eric Anderson, funeral director Melissa Meadow and executive assis- tant Olivia Anderson welcomed the community to tour the recently renovated business, located at 1515 Pacifi c Ave. South in Long Beach. Also pictured is Kermit, the funeral home therapy dog.
