Crematories
A human and pet crematory is a facility containing one or more combustion units, known as cremators or cremation units, used solely for the cremation of human and pet remains within appropriate containers.
A crematory incinerator is a furnace or apparatus for burning animal or human remains to bone fragments. In Pennsylvania, crematory incinerators are subject to air quality regulations and require an air permit to operate.
Crematories incinerators are commonly fueled with natural gas and typically have a primary burner in the main chamber and an afterburner in the secondary chamber. Air contaminants emitted from crematory incinerators include nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), oxides of sulfur, particulate matter, and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs).
Emissions from crematory incinerators are typically controlled with a combustion chamber and burner design, afterburner in the secondary chamber, and an opacity monitoring device.
Air Quality Permits for Crematories
All crematories will need an air quality permit of some sort before installation of each cremation unit to operate the crematory in compliance with Pennsylvania DEP requirements.
A general plan approval and/or operating permit (BAQ-GPA/GP-14) is available for crematories as long as the terms and conditions are successfully met. The GP-14 has been revised and is effective as of August 10, 2024.
If the conditions in the general permit cannot be met, then an application for Plan Approval, and later an Operating Permit, should be submitted.
Application wait times once submitted could be around 1 month for a General Permit and up to 6 months for a Plan Approval.
Frequently Asked Questions: Revised GP-14
The GP-14 is the General Plan Approval and/or General Operating Permit for Human or Animal Crematory Incinerators issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The most recent revision became effective on August 16, 2025.
Before this revision, the GP-14 was last modified on August 10, 2024.
The key revisions in the August 16, 2025 version of the GP-14 include the following:
- Temperature Requirement: Minimum secondary chamber operating temperature remains 1600°F (reduced from 1800°F in 2024).
- Charge Door Flexibility: Operators may open the charge door during cremation to inspect or reposition remains, provided they follow manufacturer’s specifications and record the activity.
- Material Restrictions Clarified: Cremation of PVC is prohibited, but medical body bags are permitted.
- Remedial Devices: Hazardous remedial devices (e.g., radioactive implants) must be removed if known and feasible, but crematories are not required to remove them themselves if they lack qualifications.
- Recordkeeping & Reporting: DEP removed the proposed annual reporting submission requirement after receiving comments. Crematories must still keep records (e.g., temperatures, charge door openings, fuel use, operator training) and provide them upon DEP request.
- Source Testing: New or modified crematories must provide stack testing data or conduct performance testing within 180 days of startup. Existing crematories moving from a SOOP to GP-14 generally are not required to conduct new stack testing unless directed by DEP.
- Fee Structure:
- Application fee: $1,600
- Operating permit issuance/renewal (every 5 years): $750
- Annual operating permit maintenance: $500
- Change of ownership/admin amendments: $500
The following materials are not allowed:
- Human or animal remains exceeding 500 lbs (requires separate plan approval).
- Certain plastics such as PVC containers (except medical body bags).
- Hazardous medical devices (e.g., pacemakers, radioactive implants) unless removed in advance by qualified personnel.
Yes. While charge door opening is permitted, safety concerns remain around “cold charging”, or placing remains in the chamber before proper temperature is reached.
DEP advises operators to strictly follow manufacturer instructions and maintain records to demonstrate compliance if emissions complaints arise.
No immediate action is required. Changes will apply at the time of permit reauthorization. Crematories currently under a State Only Operating Permit (SOOP) may switch to a GP-14, but it is not mandatory.
DEP recommends submitting the GP-14 application and rescinding the SOOP at the same time for a cleaner transition.
Operators must maintain (but not routinely submit) records including:
- Chamber temperatures and times during cremation.
- Dates, times, and duration of charge door openings.
- Type and amount of fuel used (monthly basis; estimates acceptable).
- Operator training certifications.
- Maintenance activities (e.g., thermocouple replacement).
- Documentation that the crematory is not a Title V facility.
These records must be available to DEP upon request.
DEP explained that fees are based on a workload and personnel cost analysis in accordance with 25 Pa. Code Chapter 127 Subchapter I (effective 2021).
While the new fees are higher than before, they remain lower than obtaining an individual plan approval and SOOP.
Applicants must submit the GP-14 application to their DEP regional office. Electronic submissions are strongly encouraged.
Written DEP approval is required before constructing, modifying, or operating under this permit. DEP will publish notice of each authorization in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
Once the GP-14 is authorized by DEP to your facility, the permit is good for a five-year period.
You came to the right place. The Environmental Management Assistance Program (EMAP) offers free and confidential environmental regulatory assistance to small businesses in Pennsylvania. EMAP has assisted many human and pet crematories over the years with permit applications and complying with air quality requirements.
Should you require assistance, simply send us a message on our “contact” page or call the toll-free environmental hotline at (877) ASK-EMAP.