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Residents urge city to investigate Oakland Cemetery management after reported price increases and complaints
Summary
Two residents told the Little Falls City Council they and other families have complained about Oakland Cemetery management, citing unexpected fee hikes and reportedly long response times; council staff were directed to look into ownership and governance.
Kit Gertz, a Cushing resident, told the Little Falls City Council during public comment that her family faced last-minute price increases from Oakland Cemetery for her mother's December burial and that she believed the cemetery’s director raised fees “on a whim.” Gertz said the funeral home gave the family an initial estimate of $400 to $900 for services, then later reported the cemetery asked for substantially higher amounts.
Bradley Johnson, a Little Falls resident who said several generations of his family are buried at Oakland, told the council he spoke with city staff and was told the city had received “at least 30 complaints” about the cemetery’s management over the past year. “I will be doing that” he said of contacting outside officials, and he said he planned to contact the state Attorney General and the Minnesota Secretary of State for guidance.
The remarks came during the meeting’s public comment period; council members did not take formal action at that time but asked staff to investigate. City staff said they would determine who owns the cemetery, identify members of any governing board, and consider consulting the city attorney and attending board meetings to press for improvements.
Why it matters: Oakland Cemetery is an active burial ground within Little Falls city limits, and the management practices residents described potentially affect many families at emotionally sensitive times. Council members said staff should report back with ownership and governance details so the council can consider next steps.
Council discussion focused on next steps rather than policy changes. City staff committed to researching ownership and board membership and to report findings to the council; no ordinance, enforcement action or formal complaint process was created during the meeting.
Next steps: Staff will return to counsel with information on cemetery ownership, the membership of any governing board and options for follow-up, including legal counsel involvement.
