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Commission approves updated cemetery fees; baby‑land fee waived
Summary
The commission adopted a resolution updating cemetery fees, raising plot and some burial charges, changing cremation charges, and eliminating a fee for the cemetery area known as “baby land.” The resolution takes effect immediately.
The Ottawa City Commission on March 19 adopted a resolution updating fees for city‑owned cemeteries, approving immediate changes city staff said will better align charges with the actual cost of services and bring Ottawa closer to surrounding communities’ rates.
Director Welsh presented the staff analysis of five years of cemetery activity and costs and proposed fee adjustments, noting that traditional burials take more staff time and equipment than cremation interments. Staff recommended increasing the sale price for cemetery spaces from $300 to $400 and retaining a $100 overtime weekday surcharge and an additional $100 weekend surcharge for labor outside regular hours. Cremation opening-and-closing fees would increase from $175 to $200, keeping the same overtime structure, and the fee for the area called “baby land” — currently $150 — would be eliminated. Staff also recommended reducing the opening-and-closing charge for placing two cremated remains in a single grave from $400 to $300 to reflect lower labor requirements.
Nut graf: Staff said Ottawa’s current cemetery fees are below those of nearby communities and do not recover the full cost of services; the commission voted to adopt the resolution after staff presented usage and cost data and answered commissioners’ questions about payment processing and public access to fee information.
Commissioners asked about who pays the city directly (families or funeral homes), whether funeral homes bundle the city’s fees into larger invoices, and how the city communicates fees. Director Welsh said payments can come from either funeral homes or families, that cremation burials do not legally require a funeral director, and that staff will update the city website with fee information to improve transparency. On the frequency of updates, staff noted the last fee resolution was dated February 2007.
The commission approved the resolution by roll call; all members voted yes. The resolution takes effect immediately upon passage.
Ending: Staff said they will post the updated fee schedule on the city website and continue working with funeral homes and families to ensure clear communication of the city’s charges.
