Anacortes staff propose raising Grandview Cemetery fees to cover rising labor and equipment costs

Parks staff presented a proposal Jan. 26 to raise fees at Grandview Cemetery to achieve closer to full cost recovery for marginal services such as burials, marker work and disinterment.

Mister Lunsford, with Parks and Recreation, and staff member Darby Jordan told council current fees have lagged inflation and wage increases and that some one‑time fees (such as full‑casket interment) are far below marginal cost. Lunsford cited a current full‑casket burial fee of $553 while the marginal labor and equipment cost is $1,725. He said an urn internment fee charged at $257 has an actual marginal cost of about $680, and overtime burial service rates are similarly underpriced.

Staff said they intend to draft the code language (working with Miss Swetnam's office) and present the fee updates through the unified fee schedule over the coming weeks. The department also said columbariums (outside niche units for cremated remains) are on order and expected in March and that green burial (composted burial) code updates are in development and likely to return in late Q1 or Q2.

Councilmembers asked whether existing pre‑need agreements would be affected; staff said there are no pre‑need agreements currently on file. No formal vote was taken: staff will return with a resolution or ordinance and proposed proposed unified fee schedule updates for council consideration.

One member of the public asked about green/composted burials; staff confirmed the city is working on the code updates and will return with more information.