High cost of dying: Halifax council to vote on increase to cemetery fees
Halifax's staff is recommending council approve an increase to the fees at six municipally run cemeteries to make up for rising expenses.
Council will vote on the recommendation at their regular meeting on Tuesday.
'Since the last increase in 2016, cemetery fees have not changed and no longer reflect the cost to provide services,' the motion reads. 'To move HRM's cemetery operations toward cost neutrality, it is necessary to increase burial and service fees. This change would better reflect actual costs and align with rates charged by other municipalities and cemetery operators.'
Halifax is responsible for:
Fairview Lawn Cemetery on Windsor Street
Camp Hill Cemetery on Summer Street
Park Avenue Cemetery on Victoria Road
Mount Hermon Cemetery on Victoria Road
St. Paul's Cemetery on Geary Street
St. Peter's Cemetery on Victoria Road
The motion says the municipality's expenditure budget for its cemeteries in 2025-2026 is $434,000, but its projected revenues are $296,000, leaving it $138,000 short of reaching cost-neutral operations.
The motion recommends increasing the cost of single grave lots from $2,300 to $3,000 and increasing cremation lots from $1,500 to $2,100. It's estimated these two changes alone will bring in $148,500.
It also recommends raising the costs of standard interment to $1,300, double depth/vault interment to $1,400 and cremation interment to $700
In total, the fee changes are expected to bring the total revenue of the cemeteries to $433,750, which is in line with their operating costs.
'Support for low-income individuals and families, including military veterans, will continue through HRM's partnerships with the Department of Community Services, Nova Scotia Public Trustee's Office, and the Last Post Fund,' the motion reads. 'The Last Post Fund is a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization mandated to provide essential services to Canadian military veterans and their families. HRM and the Fund have a long-standing partnership that ensures veterans receive the dignity and respect they deserve through combined support efforts.
'In addition, there is no impact on any services that have been purchased but not yet delivered.'
Along with the increased prices, the motion recommends council make several changes to Bylaw C-700 – Respecting Municipal Cemeteries, including:
removing infant burial plots from the bylaw as the municipality doesn't have any available plots, nor does it offer them as separate services
introducing additional regulations on the size and placement of markers and monuments
increasing the number of cremated remains that can be interred in a casket burial from three to six
allowing for companion dogs in cemeteries
allowing staff to refuse burials if weather or site conditions pose safety risks
The motion says if council does not approve the recommendations on costs, the cemeteries will continue to operate at a deficit and will require an ongoing subsidy from the municipal budget.
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