Augusta city council on Oct. 1 approved Ordinance 22‑50, amending sections of Chapter 12, Article 5 of the Augusta City Code to clarify lot transfers, burial rules, monument specifications and to add provisions for two new columbaria the city ordered in June.

The ordinance sets clearer procedures for transferring lots after an owner's death and for granting interments when the deed holder allows someone else to be buried in their space. “We currently allow one full body burial and two cremations, or up to three cremations where space permits,” the staff member who drafted the ordinance told council, explaining the change is intended to extend cemetery capacity.

The code update also specifies monument foundation clearances, limits markers where full ground cover exists, and standardizes foundation sizes for older and newer cemetery sections. Regarding services, the ordinance requires funeral homes to contact the sexton at least two business days before a burial (by noon) so staff can schedule work and limit overtime; it also clarifies allowable arrival and departure windows to avoid late‑hour work.

Council discussion touched on how the city now handles spaces when heirs cannot be located. The ordinance continues use of an affidavit of heirship process the city has used for years; the staff member explained the affidavit requires identification of heirs and notarized attestations, and noted the city attorney and funeral directors reviewed the procedure. The staff member said a newer form that would shift some liability to an heir was discussed but drew resistance from funeral directors and was not adopted.

Council also approved rules and pricing for two columbaria ordered in June and expected to be delivered in December. Staff described each column as having 12 niches; single niches will be sold for $1,700 and double‑occupancy niches for $2,500. The single niche is intended to be permanently sealed after use; double niches allow a second cremation to be added later and re‑engraved. The council was told the niche prices cover the unit, opening/closing and engraving; extra engraving beyond the three standard lines (name, birth date, death date) would carry an additional fee. Funds from niche sales will be split between the general fund (to cover operating costs such as engraving) and the cemetery endowment to pay for future columbarium purchases and site improvements.

The ordinance clarifies the monument permit is issued by the sexton (not the city clerk) and waives the monument permit fee for U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs markers at the recommendation of funeral directors.

The measure passed on a roll call vote after council requested clarifications on heirship procedures and how tightly staff would enforce scheduling rules. The staff member said the code changes mostly formalize current practice and aim to extend usable space as the cemetery fills.

Council approved Ordinance 22‑50 by roll call; the minutes record a unanimous vote in favor.