It will be more expensive to bury someone at Rosedale Cemetery next year, according to city hall’s new rates, although rates for children and veterans will continue to be discounted.
The parks and recreation department presented its 2023 cemetery rates report during city council’s Oct. 11 regular meeting. Council voted to accept the new rates, which go into effect Jan. 1, 2023.
Some adjustments coming next year include a:
- Eight-per-cent increase in adult regular grave licences, to $1,840 from $1,703
- 20-per-cent hike in veteran traditional grave licences, to $920 from $765
- 39-per-cent increase in child grave licences, to $920 from $664
- One-per-cent hike in traditional child burial opening and closing, to $598 from $591
- 12-per-cent increase in casket vault handling fees, to $100 from $89
- Six-per-cent hike in cremation section grave licences for one urn, to $1,012 from $957
- 17-per-cent increase in veteran cremation licences, to $506 from $433
- 14-per-cent jump in cremation burial opening and closing, to $405 from $355
- Seven-per-cent hike in niches on the bottom row of a columbarium, to $2,596 from $2,432
- Nine-per-cent increase for columbarium niche openings and closings, to $162 from $149
- Six-per-cent jump for the scattering of ashes, to $250 from $236
Burial trends
Data shows that cremation continues to be a more popular burial choice than traditional full-casket burials, the report said.
There were 37 full casket burials in 2018, 40 in 2019, 46 in 2020, 31 in 2021 and 41 so far this year; the five-year average has been 39.
Meanwhile, there have been 142 full cremation burials in 2018, 82 in 2019, 101 in 2020, 109 in 2021 and 129 so far this year; the five-year average has been 113.
Total cremation burials have averaged 74 per cent during the last five years.
“As cremation burials continue to be the more popular burial option, less revenue is being received for the day-to-date operation of the cemetery,” the report said.
Financial outlook
The report noted that if burial sales remain consistent with historical averages, the rate adjustments for next year will increase overall cemetery revenues by $23,500, said the report.
This increase will help offset the projected $14,200 reduction in perpetual care revenues based on that fund’s earned annual interest income. It will also help offset the projected $13,000 increase in annual expenses.
Burial revenues this year were budgeted at $173,005, while next year, they are budgeted to be $210,705. This is an increase of $37,700 or 21.8 per cent.
Perpetual care revenues this year were budgeted at $127,200, while next year, they are budgeted at $113,000. This is a decline of $14,200 or 11.2 per cent.
Total revenues this year were budgeted at $310,205, while next year, they are budgeted at $333,705. This is an increase of $23,500 or 7.6 per cent.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, Oct. 26.
