And if the city works quickly enough, volunteers might just select a plot of land before the first gasoline station goes in.

Despite being one of the state's youngest communities - with a median age of 21.1, according to the latest U.S. census figures - Mayor Brian Olsen and the City Council have issued a call for volunteers to work out a cemetery proposal as soon as possible.

"A cemetery really solidifies a community," he said. "It's a memorial. There's some sacredness to it."

Councilwoman Linn Strouse said it's smart to plan ahead while land still is relatively cheap.

"There are a lot things that are really critical to plan right from the beginning. This is one of them," she said.

It so happens "Utah's New Frontier" is also one of the state's fastest-growing cities.

In 2000, the U.S. Census reported there were 2,157 people in Eagle Mountain. Nine were over the age of 75. Now, there are about five times as many living in the western Utah County hot spot.

"We're having all of these firsts happen so fast," said Linda Peterson, the city's spokeswoman. "We wanted to add a cemetery to add history and authenticity to the city, to give a permanent feeling and let people know we're here to stay."

Creating a cemetery isn't easy, according to Dieter Hechtle, manager at Larkin Sunset Gardens in Sandy.

First, you have to find a piece of land. It's important to look at how close the land is to residents and future growth, Hechtle said. They'll also have to lay out the cemetery, deciding how big they want the graves to be and where to put plants, roads and buildings.

"They'd have to make sure they have water rights and enough water to maintain it," he added. "It's pretty involved."

Had there been a cemetery at Eagle Mountain a year and a half ago, residents Aaron and Jennifer Adams might have buried their 5-year-old daughter there.

The cemetery "would be great. People love it out here, and I'm sure people want to spend their whole lives out here," Jennifer Adams said.

Jentel Adams died after falling out of a second-story window last year, leaving the Adamses in a position they never imagined. The family owned a grave plot in Sandy where Aaron's grandparents are interred. Their great-granddaughter now lies with them.

In the future, Olsen feels it's important to give residents an option to rest in peace in the place they spend most of their lives.

"I think that if this is home," he said, "it's also home after you pass on."

tpeterson@sltrib.com