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Council clarifies municipal cemetery rules to require underground burials
Summary
Council approved Resolution R25-6 to amend Safford Municipal Cemetery policies, explicitly stating that all burials — casket or cremation — must be placed below ground to resolve prior misinterpretation; staff said above-ground memorial features remain prohibited.
The Safford City Council approved Resolution R25-6 to amend its cemetery policies and regulations to explicitly define that all burials, whether casket or cremation, must be placed below ground.
Staff told the council the change is a minor clarification to address inconsistent interpretations of the term “burial” in the existing policy adopted in December 2022. “This clarification within the policy was needed to define that all burials whether casket or cremation must be placed below ground,” staff said during the presentation.
Council asked whether mausoleums or above-ground memorials would be allowed; staff responded that above-ground interments have long been disallowed by policy and the amendment codifies that position. Staff noted the cemetery policies are available on the Public Works website and said staff field questions in person and by phone.
The council moved, seconded and approved the resolution by voice vote. The meeting record does not list a roll-call tally for this item in the transcript excerpt.
