By Cassandra Solarte | March 5, 2016

Hyde Park mortuary plans to open valley’s first crematory

A Hyde Park mortician is planning to open the only crematory in Cache Valley this fall.

“No one else in the valley has a crematory so if a family needs one they have to drive to Ogden or Salt Lake,” said Kim Godfrey, the owner and funeral director of Cache Valley Mortuary. "For a grieving family that is a bigger task than it might seem. We want to provide the community with the best we can offer and I think the crematory will be an important part of that effort.”

The crematory will be part of a new location for Godfrey’s mortuary, about a mile away from the current funeral parlor in Hyde Park.

Godfrey’s apprentice at the mortuary, James Quigley, said Godfrey’s decision represents a big step for the business.

“For the last three years Kim has been renting this building,” Quigley said. “He started this business from scratch and built it up to the point that it is one of the most successful mortuaries in the valley."

Now, Quigley said, it’s time for the mortuary to have a more permanent home.

Godfrey said there are still a few city permits to finalize, but he hopes to begin construction in the next month. He plans to hold a grand opening Labor Day weekend.