The City of Cranbrook will be upping all cemetery fees to cover the operating cost.
Westalwn Cemetery has had an average net loss of $82,500 from 2018-2022.
Council has agreed to raise fees to match other markets plus a 20 per cent increase in all cemetery prices which will immediately cover operational expenses.
After 2025, prices will increase annually in line with inflation.
“We should be breaking even and we should also be looking at what other towns are doing as far as the difference in cost for residents who are paying municipal taxes compared to those who aren’t,” said councillor Norma Blissett.
Westlawn’s prices are so cheap compared to other communities that non-residents are getting buried here to save money.
The fee increase will be included in the cemetery master plan which will be brought to council for three readings on Nov. 25.
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