The Squamish cemetery may soon see expansion and an increase in fees for interment.
At an Oct. 10 committee of the whole meeting, Squamish council listened to a report on the master plan for Mount Garibaldi Cemetery on Government Road. Part of this report included a three-phased expansion plan which costs about $2.24 million in total. The cemetery expansion comes as the cemetery is nearing its current capacity.
About $1.64 million of that total comes in the next several years, which will see improvements to the existing cemetery site and eastward expansion into the neighbouring forest. Moreover, this includes adding a scattering garden for cremated remains and excavating new burial plots and green burial plots.
Simply put, green burials involve a body being placed in a biodegradable casket in the ground without being embalmed. Vegetation is either planted or naturally grows around the area. Some cemeteries include communal name plaques.
In the end, council unanimously endorsed the plan and voted to increase fees to the extent that they approach those in neighbouring communities and allow numerous sets of cremated remains in a single burial plot.
Mayor Armand Hurford said it was encouraging to see the modernization and expansion of the area.
“It’s one that we often don’t think about until we experience the loss of a loved one,” he said.
Initially, municipal staff proposed a 75% increase to fees plus a 2% increase each year for 10 years thereafter until operation costs were covered. For Squamish residents, this increase equates to $4,197 compared to $2,400 for full burial and $1,242 compared to $710 for cremation.
However, council opted to have the District explore options for increasing fees “as close to cost recovery as possible and in line with neighbouring communities.” For comparison, Whistler charges $4,200 and $2,100 for full burial and cremation whereas West Vancouver charges $7,663 and $2,302.
“While I appreciate that this is a service that we are trying to ensure is accessible and affordable for the majority of our community, we know that we have a lot of pressures on our budget,” said Coun. Jenna Stoner.
Non-residents would be subjected to the same fee increase as residents. Non-residents currently pay $5,400 for full burial and $2,000 for cremation.
Briefly mentioned, but not thoroughly discussed, was the name Mount Garibaldi attached to the cemetery due, in part, to the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) request to revert the mountain name to Nch’ḵay̓.
“Staff suggest that if a renaming of the Mount Garibaldi Cemetery is considered for it to be a process involving Squamish Nation,” said Elaine Naisby, a municipal parks planner.
However, that consideration was not discussed at length further at the Oct. 10 meeting.
Council heard that cremation and green burials are increasing across B.C. About 85% of interments are cremations in the province, which leads to other servicing needs like a scattering garden.
Additionally, both cremation with a scattering plot and green burials release fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to full burial. A green burial results in about 157 kilograms of carbon dioxide, which is largely from excavating the plot.
Cremation with a scattering plot results in about 240 kilograms of CO2. Full burial can see up to 726 kg of CO2.
These recommendations and master plan will be up for ratification at a future council regular business meeting. View the cemetery master plan on council’s Oct. 10 agenda and watch the meeting on the District’s YouTube page.
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