Maple Creek’s burial costs a concern

Burial costs a concern for those in Maple Creek.

Maple Creek

Tammy Anderson’s family has five generations buried in Maple Creek Cemetery, including grandparents, great-grandparents, and great-great-grandparents.
    It is why the issue of burial costs is deeply personal to her.

”After comparing Maple Creek’s cemetery fees with those of several Saskatchewan municipalities of similar population, I was surprised to discover that, among the comparable municipalities I reviewed, Maple Creek’s overall burial costs are significantly higher – ranging from 30% to 194% higher,” she said in a letter to Mayor and Council that asks for a review of the cemetery fee structure.

Anderson said her professional background as a licensed funeral director had given her an understanding of cemetery operations and the difficult decisions families face when arranging the final disposition of a loved one.

”My professional experience has also given me an appreciation of the need for municipalities to recover legitimate operating costs while ensuring cemetery fees remain fair and justifiable.

”In making this comparison, I deliberately selected Saskatchewan municipalities with populations similar to Maple Creek. Comparing communities of similar size provides the fairest and most meaningful assessment because they generally have comparable tax bases, cemetery sizes, staffing levels, operating costs, and service demands.”

Anderson said comparing Maple Creek to much larger cities would not provide an accurate benchmark, as larger municipalities often benefit from economies of scale, larger tax bases, and different funding models.

The comparison in her letter showed: Maple Creek (2,176): Plot $1,100; Opening/Closing $560; Total $1,660; Biggar (2,098): Total $564 (194% less expensive); Assiniboia (2,389): Total $800 (108% less expensive); Outlook (2,318): Total $1,200 (38% less expensive); and Unity (2,375): Total $1,275 (30% less expensive).

”The comparison indicates that Maple Creek’s opening and closing fee is generally comparable to those charged by similar municipalities. The primary difference is the $1,100 cemetery plot fee, which is substantially higher than the communities included in my review.

”A cemetery is unlike most municipal services. Families do not choose when they will need it, and decisions often must be made while they are grieving.

”There is little opportunity to delay those decisions or compare costs, making it especially important that cemetery fees be reasonable, transparent, and supported by clear justification. I am concerned that fees at this level may have unintended consequences.

”Families may choose to purchase plots and inter their loved ones in neighbouring communities where costs are considerably lower. It would be unfortunate if the decision about where to lay a loved one to rest became driven primarily by cost rather than by a family’s desire to keep generations of their family together.”

Anderson said that during her research she was unable to locate the current cemetery fee schedule or the bylaw, resolution, or policy approving the current plot fees on the Town’s website.

Although Cemetery Bylaw No. 2019-MC-17 is available, it does not contain the current fee schedule, she said.

”I respectfully request copies of the current fee schedule; the Council resolution, bylaw amendment, policy or other document establishing the current $1,100 plot fee; Council meeting minutes approving the fee; supporting reports or financial analyses; the effective date of the fee; and any benchmarking used before approving it.

”I respectfully ask Council to review the current cemetery fee structure, particularly the plot fee, to ensure it remains fair, transparent, and reasonable. I believe families should not be placed in the position of deciding where to bury their loved ones primarily because of cost, especially when they wish to keep generations of their family together in one cemetery.”

Anderson’s letter was discussed at last Thursday’s regular meeting of Maple Creek Town Council. The agenda included current cemetery rates, and cemetery rate increase approval resolutions.

Councillor Betty Abbott said she did not see the fees as being “terribly” out of line with comparable communities.

“No, I agree with you,” said Michelle McKenzie, the mayor.

”But I do want to see that she (Tammy Anderson) gets a reply,” said Councillor Abbott.

Councillor Holly Gutfreund said she did look at comparisons with some other places, and found that Maple Creek was in the “ballpark of a lot of them”.

”So, she (Tammy Anderson) did find ones that were less, but I could find ones that were more as well, and I think it’s more to do with what it would cost us to expand … I think we are keeping things fair. I agree with Betty, I would like to see a reply.”

Councillor Tina Cresswell believed the cemetery committee had been quite diligent, and did “quite a lengthy comparison” with other places.

”I don’t have any problem with this.”

Councillor Mike Stork said: “Part of our cost is just the actual cost of us hiring somebody to open the grave and close the grave, and we are not charging any extra on that … we think it is a fair rate.”

He added: “The only cost that is up for deliberation is the cost for the lot, and people can agree or not agree with that. But that is what it is, I think.”