Board licenses Horizon Cremations Chattanooga LLC for East Ridge storefront; applicant will use Dodson facility for preparation and viewings

The Tennessee Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers granted an establishment license to Horizon Cremations Chattanooga LLC at its Jan. 14 meeting, approving the proposed storefront office at 1509 South Smith Street, Suite A in East Ridge.

Applicant Josh Ann Long, who identified himself as a third-generation funeral director and embalmer licensed in Tennessee, told the board the location will be used for client meetings, identification viewings and paperwork. Embalming, preparation and full-service viewings will take place at MD Dodson and Sons in Cleveland under a written arrangement that the applicant provided to board staff.

Nut graf: The board reviewed the inspection and application materials, confirmed that the field representative and staff had inspected the proposed location, and voted to accept the application. The record shows the establishment will not maintain decedents in the storefront; physical preparation and embalming will be performed at the Dodson facility and cremations will be arranged with an out-of-state crematory chosen by the applicant.

Board members asked where visitations, embalming and funerals would be held; Mr. Long said visitations could be held at Dodson's chapel or off-site at a church selected by the family. The applicant said the crematory used would be across the Georgia line.

Ending: The board voted to accept the establishment application by voice vote. Staff advised the new licensee to stay in contact with board staff and to maintain required documentation of the shared-use arrangement with Dodson's funeral home.