Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Cemetery Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Augusta Council adopts ordinance clarifying cemetery transfers, allows more cremations per space
Summary
The council unanimously adopted Ordinance 22-50 amending Chapter 12, Article 5 to clarify lot transfers after death, set burial and monument rules, require advance notice for services, and allow more cremation burials (where physically possible) to extend cemetery life.
The Augusta City Council voted to adopt Ordinance 22-50, a package of amendments to Chapter 12, Article 5 of the municipal code that clarifies lot-transfer procedures, burial allowances, monument specifications and scheduling rules at the city cemetery.
Staff who drafted the ordinance said changes were largely codifications of existing practice and requested language funeral directors had recommended. The ordinance adds explicit language on transferring lots after an owner’s death, spells out the process for granting interment rights to someone other than the deed holder and clarifies monument foundation and clearance requirements to protect maintenance crews and equipment.
The ordinance changes how many cremations may be placed in a single space where there is physical room; staff recommended allowing “1 full-body burial and 2 cremations or up to 3 cremations in a space where it’s allowed” to help extend cemetery capacity (staff summary). The code also clarifies monument and marker placement, limits markers where full ground cover exists, and standardizes foundation sizes by cemetery section.
Latasha, the city sexton, and staff told council the code will formalize practices they’ve already followed and standardize scheduling so staff can avoid excessive overtime. The ordinance requires funeral homes to provide notice for services (two business days by noon) so staff can confirm availability and coordinate equipment; the code also empowers the sexton to request different times when services conflict rather than deny burials outright.
Council discussed heirship affidavits for older lots with unclear heirs and staff noted the city’s existing affidavit-of-heirship practice and a proposed form intended to reduce litigation risk while clarifying that the city is held harmless if third-party heirs later dispute a transfer. The package also recognizes columbariums (niches) in the code and ties their fee schedule to a forthcoming resolution.
The measure was approved in a roll call vote called by staff; all members present voted yes.
