The dead may rest but money never sleeps.
City of North Vancouver council voted unanimously to boost the prices of caskets, crypts and assorted cemetery services by 9.5 per cent at a Nov. 6 meeting.
The price hike is intended to “address current maintenance costs,” according to a staff report.
The cemetery had an operating revenue of $480,400 in 2016 – primarily from the sale of plots as well as fees, which accounted for $343,500. However, the cemetery still had an operating deficit of $14,800.
The city also installed 79 new burial plots earlier this year.
In order to help the cemetery get on even financial footing, the price of a casket is set to increase from $6,440 to $7,050 and similarly the price of a crypt is set to hop from $6,550 to $7,200 for residents.
The city defines a resident as anyone who owned property or was a tenant in the City or District of North Vancouver in the 12 months before their death. The label also applies to someone who lived in the city or district for at least 10 consecutive years.
The prices are steeper for non-residents, who will now pay $12,100 for a casket and $12,900 for a crypt.
The price of exhumation will rise from $1,800 to $1,975. The cost of a city care garden will also tick up from $220 to $240.
“It is worth noting that while the City of North Vancouver is at the high end of municipal cemeteries, it is still significantly below the rate of the City of Vancouver and the private sector,” noted the staff report.
Cemetery fees are influenced by land costs as well as costs to the municipality.
City council voted 6-0 to raise cemetery fees without discussion. Coun. Don Bell did not attend the meeting.
Located at the top of the hill off Lillooet Road, the cemetery originally opened in 1893.
The city permits fresh and artificial flowers, as well as cement pads that have been approved by the city.
Food, rocks, glass, wood and anything on the grass is not permitted. Items may be removed for regular maintenance.
The cemetery is open until 8 p.m. from April to September and until 4 p.m. the rest of the year.
