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Waukesha City Cemetery Commission approves 2026 price increases for Prairie Home Cemetery
Summary
The Waukesha City Cemetery Commission voted unanimously Dec. 8 to adopt a set of 2026 price increases for Prairie Home Cemetery, citing rising wages, insurance and supply costs and projected reductions in the city's general fund contribution.
The Waukesha City Cemetery Commission voted unanimously on Monday to approve a package of price increases for Prairie Home Cemetery to take effect in 2026, the commission chair announced.
Karen, the cemetery director, told commissioners the proposal responds to rising wages, benefits, insurance and supply costs and to city budget pressures that may reduce the general fund contribution to the cemetery. "We are looking at increasing most of the rates…as we're considering the economic and budget landscape," she said.
Under the proposal, recommended adjustments vary by category. Karen said property rights (graves, niches, crypts and similar items) were proposed for roughly a 10% increase and interment rights for about a 10% increase. She recommended smaller increases—about 5%—for foundations and burial boards and 2% for inscriptions, while some accessory items would rise as much as 25% (Karen pointed to a 25% suggested increase for zinc ground bases because bronze and accessory costs have increased substantially).
Karen explained the proposal also addresses fees for multiple interments in one grave (so-called "2nd and 3rd rights"). She said the commission currently charges $2.25 for a second right and proposed raising that fee to $4.50, noting some cemeteries charge a percentage of the grave cost while the commission’s revision would approximate a 25% rate for second rights in some cases.
Commission discussion included comparisons with nearby cemeteries and "secret shop" checks to keep Prairie Home competitive; Karen said even with the increases Prairie Home would remain lower than many Waukesha County sites and St. Joe's. Commissioners voiced general support and no one raised substantive objections.
The chair recorded the motion to accept the proposed 2026 price changes as moved by Don Brown and seconded by Rico Camacho; the commission voted "aye" and the motion passed unanimously. (Note: Rico Camacho was recorded as not present during the chair's roll call earlier in the meeting; the transcript records him as the recorded seconder.)
The commission did not specify an effective date in the discussion; implementation and final budget accounting were discussed in general terms during the director's report.
The commission then moved on to the cemetery director's report.
