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City of M.L. moves to update cemetery fees

Nov 15, 2017 | 12:24 PM

After nearly 12 years with little change, the City of Meadow Lake is working to update its cemetery fees and will be implementing a cost increase over the next three years.

City administration realized rates had not been adjusted since 2010, and rates for many other cemetery services had not changed since at least 2006. The increases will bring the rates closer in line with the provincial average and actual expense to the city. The bylaw is expected to officially pass on Nov. 27.

“For many of the services offered, the city is actually losing money as fees are below costs,” city manager Diana Burton said in her report. “In addition, our fees, especially for plot sales, are well below the provincial average for other municipally managed cemeteries.”

For example, the current cost for a single adult plot is $400, and with the proposed changes, the cost will rise to $525 on Jan. 1, 2018, $650 in 2019, and $775 in 2020. Internment fees will change from $400 to $425 in 2018, $450 in 2019, and $475 for a standard depth grave.