On the heels of two visible emissions releases, the crematorium operated in North Baltimore by Vaughn Greene Funeral Services has undergone emissions stack testing, a condition of its state permit.

The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) confirmed that the facility, at 4905 York Road, conducted testing for particulate matter and metals on August 5.

The testing “was conducted by a third party on behalf of and hired by the company with MDE in attendance,” spokesman Jay Apperson told The Brew.

Under its permit to construct, the facility must conduct the tests and submit the results to MDE within 45 days for review.

“If and when we accept the results we will make them available,” he said. “We will continue to exercise rigorous oversight of the facility’s operations to ensure compliance.”

Operating Since April

Residents observed and photographed the boom lift used to connect monitoring equipment to the 40-foot-high smokestack, which the company designed to look like a bell tower.

Community members learned details of Wednesday’s testing after Senator Mary L. Washington wrote a letter of concern to MDE Secretary Serena McIlwaine last month, following reports of black smoke billowing from the stack on July 13 and July 20.

McIlwaine’s reply letter, obtained by The Brew, provides some basic information about state requirements for the facility.

Under its permit, the crematorium must have no visible emissions during normal operation, “though there are exceptions for up to six minutes during start-up, adjustments or occasional cleaning of control equipment,” McIlwaine noted.

She said the facility began cremation operations on April 14, 2026, and MDE conducted inspections there on July 13, 16 and 29. That differs from residents’ earlier conclusion, based on a public information request, that Vaughn Greene began cremation activity in July.

McIlwaine’s reply confirmed their discovery that the crematorium is allowed to operate for 120 days before stack testing is conducted.

That meant the stack tests had to be conducted by August 12, and that Vaughn Greene must also, by that date:

• Conduct the visible emissions evaluations according to EPA observation methods.

• Submit an application for a State Permit to Operate and a proposed Operations and Maintenance Plan to be reviewed and approved by the agency.

After a review of the stack test results, “the Air and Radiation Administration will withhold the issuance of a State Permit to Operate pending our comprehensive review and approval of all test findings,” the letter said.

Overly Permissive Permit?

The testing is the latest twist in the years-long saga of the company’s controversial request for permission to add a crematorium to its funeral home next to residential neighborhoods.

Fearing the health impact of burning human remains less than 200 feet from the nearest home, community groups fought the proposal, but failed to convince MDE, the city Zoning Board, a Baltimore Circuit Court judge and the Appellate Court of Maryland.

• Black smoke is seen rising from Vaughn Greene crematory that just opened in North Baltimore (7/16/26)

• Senator Mary Washington calls out MDE after crematorium emissions incidents (7/27/26)

Senator Washington, who has previously testified in support of the residents, made a number of requests to McIlwaine to strengthen Vaughn Greene’s permit and improve the state’s oversight.

McIlwaine was noncommittal regarding Washington’s request that the permit be amended so that crematory opacity readings are recorded in the same way that temperature readings are recorded for compliance determination.

“The Department may incorporate additional monitoring requirements into the [permit to operate] as necessary; this action would not require a formal amendment to the Permit to Construct,” she wrote.

She added that “the facility is currently equipped with an opacity sensor designed to automatically modulate operations and log corrective events to mitigate visible emissions.”