Funeral Homes Added to High Hazard Use Group

Apparently opening a child care center in an adjacent or former funeral home is not uncommon. The NJ Department of Children and Families has added Funeral Homes as a potential hazardous site where additional environmental assessment is required for child care center licensing.

Funeral homes pose an environmental risk, especially when it comes to indoor air. Chemicals such as formaldehyde may be present which may require testing as directed by the NJ Department of Health. Funeral homes are in Group A of the Uniform Construction Code, along with other potentially hazardous Groups (B: Dry Cleaners and Nail Salons, F: Factory and Industrial, H: High Hazard, M: Gas Station, S: Storage). Some additional information can be found in the NJDCF