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Council discusses establishing a cremation scattering garden and indigent‑remains policy at Mount View Cemetery
Summary
The council reviewed an ordinance to authorize a scattering garden at Mount View Cemetery, including memorialization, a $1,000 memorial/perpetual‑care fee, and a mandatory 90‑day hold for unclaimed indigent remains; staff emphasized design and dignity measures.
Councilmember Hager brought forward an ordinance to authorize a scattering garden within Mount View Cemetery and to establish procedures for the disposition of indigent cremated remains.
City staff explained that a scattering garden is a curated area where cremated remains are respectfully scattered and memorialized with a monument and name placards. Staff said the project would include thoughtful landscaping (including a native pollinator section), potential veteran signifiers on plaques and protections against casual or disrespectful disposal. On indigent interment policy, staff said existing state provisions apply and that the ordinance would add a mandatory 90‑day hold for claimed remains and set memorialization and perpetual care fees near $1,000.
Staff emphasized the ordinance is intended to increase dignity and transparency for indigent dispositions and to provide a lower‑cost option for residents who choose scattering. They said recorded documents will disclose NCA/NCA‑type charges in property title reports for homebuyers when relevant and that the city would continue established practices for indigent determinations under the Ohio Revised Code.
