15,000-grave Taoist cemetery proposed in Readington Township

READINGTON – The township committee will continue a public hearing next month on a proposal to locate a 15,000-grave Taoist cemetery on Pleasant Run Road.

The 23.5-acre property, less than a mile from Route 202 and just south of Hoagland Road, is an ideal location for a Taoist cemetery, said Yu Qi Chen, the Feng Shui master who will perform the burial ceremonies if the cemetery receives the necessary township approvals.

Chen's appearance before the township committee earlier this month was, to paraphrase a Chinese proverb, the first step on a 1,000-mile journey before the cemetery becomes a reality. Under state law, a municipality must determine if there is a public need for a cemetery. Once that determination is made, then the proposal must receive site plan approval and a use variance.

That may be difficult because the township adopted a zoning ordinance in May prohibiting cemeteries in Readington. And the township is facing a legal battle in federal court over the denial of a cemetery at the northern end of Readington on Lamington Road on land owned by Chubb next to Fiddler's Elbow Country Club.

READ: Readington: Township is sued over denial of cemetery

Speaking through an interpreter, Chen told the township committee that the Pleasant Run Road site had a stream, pond and a mountain view.

When he said the cemetery could have as many as 15,000 graves, there was an audible gasp from the more than 50 residents who attended the meeting.

Chen explained that the burial of Tao followers is based on ancient practices. The position of the casket is determined by the luo pan, a Feng Shui compass, and the person's birth and death dates, he said.

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"That's going to help the deceased to have a restful life," he said, explaining that the body must be "oriented properly."

"We are very serious" that the body is in the "correct position," Chen said.

Services at the graveside last about an hour, he said, and are held 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every day except Sundays. About 50 to 100 people attend each ceremony.

Chen said the cemetery would serve Taoist followers from Boston to Philadelphia. There is one Taoist cemetery in New Jersey, off Garden State Parkway exit 102 in Neptune, and another in upstate New York.

At the entrance of the cemetery, Chen said, will be a pair of 5-foot Fu Dog statues. In classic Feng Shui, Fu Dogs are considered to be guardians of the spirit.

Families usually visit graves twice a year and bring offerings of fruit and vegetables, Chen said, but the families take them back home "because they are blessed" by being brought to the grave.

Henry Kent-Smith, representing Sanfu LLC, the potential cemetery owner, said discussions are ongoing with the state of Department of Environmental Protection about site issues, including wetlands.

The township committee will continue a public hearing on the proposal, with Kent-Smith presenting more witnesses, on Sept. 16.

Residents will have an opportunity to comment on the proposal after all testimony is presented.

Staff Writer Mike Deak: 908-243-6607; mdeak@mycentraljersey.com