Krause plans crematory chapel in Capitol Drive funeral home

Mourners will be able to inspect and hold services in the crematory Krause Funeral Homes proposes to build near Capitol Drive and Springdale Road, if the project is approved.

"What's unique about our crematory is that it's actually in a chapel setting," Krause Funeral Homes President Mark Krause said. "It's going to be in a nice room with carpeting and artwork on the walls. People are going to be able to participate at whatever level in the process they feel comfortable with."

The company proposes building a 25,000-square-foot funeral home and crematory that includes a banquet facility, banquet rooms, a chapel and a crematory chapel.

Krause said some customers want to incorporate the cremation process into their religious ceremonies, and some others just want to be present as it happens. He wants to accommodate them.

"Being a multicultural funeral home, and being inclusive, we want to make (cremation) available to everyone that way," Krause said.

The proposal to build a new facility is the result of an increased demand for cremation services - the Cremation Association of North America predicts a 50 percent cremation rate in Milwaukee in the near future.

The new facility will have a leg up on competitors' sites, Krause said, because people will be allowed to inspect the crematory at any time.

"Trying to be transparent in the process is key," he said, "because there really are no secrets about it. We want people to feel confident and have it done in a professional way, so they can witness every step of the process if they so choose."

Krause also said that it's an advantage to have the crematory in house and not use an offsite third party for cremation services.

"I can guarantee to the public that only licensed funeral directors, certified as cremation specialists, will be taking care of things," he said. "We can safely say that someone's loved one will never leave our care. As a business provider, I think that's so important."

The proposal is up for a public hearing Jan. 9 in front of the city of Brookfield Plan Commission.

City Planning Administrator Mike Theis said there haven't been any public inquiries into the project yet, and that he expects the project to get the go-ahead.

"We're not expecting any issues coming up," he said. "The Plan Commission previewed the applicant's request prior to authorizing the hearing."

The proposed funeral home and crematory should prove easy on the eyes, Mayor Steven Ponto said.

"I think it will be a very positive development," said Ponto, who also leads the Plan Commission. "I think as you enter Brookfield from the west it will be a very attractive facility."

Krause said he hopes ground will be broken in April and that construction will be complete one year later.

Next Step

WHAT: public hearing on Krause Funeral Home's request to build a funeral home and crematory at 21600 W. Capitol Drive

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Jan. 9

WHERE: Brookfield City Hall, 2000 N. Calhoun Road

CONTACT: City Clerk Kelly Michaels, (262) 796-6653