Cemetery fees are on the rise

Tori Sutton
Staff Reporter

Those who reside outside Stratford may soon be paying a premium to be buried in Avondale Cemetery.

While sitting as the community services committee at Monday evening’s meeting, council agreed to implement a 15 per cent non-resident fee at Avondale Cemetery.

Council also voted to increase all other cemetery rates by 10 per cent effective January 1, 2010.

A city-commissioned report found Avondale Cemetery is operating at a loss and recommended a non-resident fee be implemented to take some of the burden off ratepayers.

Other communities charge such fees, including the City of Niagara Falls, which has a 50 per cent non-resident premium, allowing it to recover the full cost of service.

“Our cemetery operates at a significantly higher subsidy from taxpayers than other cemeteries in the province,” explained CAO Ron Shaw.

Coun. Paul Nickel – chair of the community services committee – said he felt uneasy defining what makes one a resident and non-resident and has difficulty with the prospect of telling a family they have to pay more for a burial plot just because someone does not live in the city.

“It’s certainly an emotional time – I’m not going to be debating if someone is a resident or not before they are buried here,” Nickel said.

Coun. Frank Mark, speaking in favour of the 15 per cent increase, said it doesn’t need to be complicated. He suggested if someone wishes to be buried in Stratford and plans on moving out of the city, they can always buy their burial plot in advance.

Councillors Karen Smythe and Keith Culliton also agreed, pointing out citizens pay to maintain that property and probably do not want to be subsidizing others.

Coun. Don Chapman suggested anyone with family ties to Stratford should not have to pay the increased fee.

The motion to approve the increase was passed 8-3, with Coun. Bonnie Henderson, Nickel and Chapman voting against.

The matter still requires final consideration by council.

Mayor Dan Mathieson also made a successful motion to refer the matter of residency back to staff to have them report back with a definition. He asked those who are transferred out of the city to nursing homes due to bed availability receive special consideration.