The society sold stock to raise funds and in 1889 commissioned prominent local architect, Frederick G. Clausen, to design a building.

Initially, the crematory used coke or hard coal for fuel and it took an hour and a half to complete the process.

In later years the facility changed to natural gas and the time it took to complete the cremation process diminished.

It rests on a base composed of rubble-squared stone blocks over a partially raised, full basement.

Its exterior ornamentation is found in the round-arch doorway with stained glass sidelights and transom; lintels and bands created from carved stone; and gables trimmed in stone containing round-arch windows; and brick corbelling near the roofline.