Broken Arrow City Council
Meeting of: 4-5-2016
To: Mayor and City Council
From: General Services Department
Title:
title
Consideration, discussion, possible approval of proposed columbarium style and placement plan, authorization for the Park Grove Cemetery staff to plan, budget, and solicit bids for the purchase of the first columbarium set and add the niche pricing to the Manual of Fees
End
Background:
Cremation and the desire to utilize cremation niches over traditional burial plots are becoming increasingly popular. The Cremation Association of North America’s web site shows that in 2013, the last year complete data was available; the US cremation rate was 45.3%. By 2018, the U.S. cremation rate is projected to reach 50.6%. Cremation niches are spaces where the urn containing the cremated remains is permanently placed. The niche is typically in an outdoor wall, or columbarium, with a stainless steel capsule to hold the ashes and an etched face plate or bronze memorial nameplate. The purpose of a cremation niche is to give the family a place to visit their loved one’s cremated remains. They are available in single, double and family size (four) spaces. Most cremation niches are made of fine marble or premium granite.
On February 16, 2016 the Council adopted a change to the ordinance, Chapter 8, Article II, Division 2, Section 8-51 adding a Division 3 which provides an area for cremation niches. In this area (Blocks 28 through 32 and Block 37) reserved for cremation niches, there are a total of 240 grave spaces. Based on the proposed columbarium style, 1,320 spaces would eventually become available as the columbaria are installed over time. This results in a net gain of 1,080 spaces. This columbaria space increases customer options, as well as additional revenue and space available.
The Cemetery Sexton recommends the proposed columbarium style (see attachment) and layout as it is consistent with the existing cemetery look and feel. The layout will lend itself to ease of maintenance and provide adequate space for customers and maintenance equipment alike. It is not contemplated that the area around the columbaria be surrounded by stone or concrete, but rather to retain the natural grass surroundings as the rest of the cemetery.
Proposed pricing for a niche space is $1,200 to $1,700 depending on niche location. Non -residents would pay an additional $250.00. This pricing would include applicable plaque/engraving and a one-time opening service for occupant placement. In comparison, the standard grave space for a Broken Arrow resident is $1,589 with opening/closing costs set at $1097 for a total of $2,686. A resident customer purchasing a niche space at Park Grove would save between $1,486 and $986 over the cost of a traditional burial space.
Area cemeteries charge between $1,000 and $5,500 for a cremation niche depending on its location and may or may not include opening/closing or engraving costs. The attached comparison chart shows area charges for niches alongside the proposed charges for Park Grove Cemetery. Typical cost for the proposed columbarium style containing approximately 312 niches is about $60,000 for the structures and $15,000 for structure footings. That equates to about $240 per niche. Assuming all 312 niches sold at proposed pricing, total revenue, less capital cost and engraving services, would be to approximately $311,400. In comparison, revenue from the same thirty traditional grave spaces occupied by the niches would be $80,580. This represents a potential net increase of $230,800 in revenue from one 312 niche columbarium set. The area reserved for columbarium will hold additional 1000 or so niches.
Cemetery Staff recommends starting with a single 312 niche columbaria set as proposed. When the set becomes 75% occupied, cemetery Staff will budget for and install a second set. This process can continue over the coming years until the cremains area is fully occupied with columbarium as proposed.
Staff recommends approving the proposed columbarium style and placement plan, authorize the Park Grove Cemetery staff to plan, budget and solicit bids for the purchase of the first columbarium set and add the niche pricing to the Manual of Fees. Depending on timing, the first columbarium could be installed as early as August 2016
Cost: To be determined
Prepared By: Lee Zirk, General Services Director
Reviewed By: Development Services
Finance Department
Legal Department
Acting Assistant City Manager - Administration
Approved By: Michael L. Spurgeon, City Manager
Attachments: Proposed cremation niche example/type
Map showing cremation niche placement
Cremation niche cost comparison from local cemeteries
Niche pricing location levels
Proposed Manual of Fees section showing new charges
Recommendation:
Approve the proposed columbarium style and placement plan, authorize the Park Grove Cemetery Staff to plan, budget and solicit bids for the purchase of the first columbarium set and add the niche pricing to the Manual of Fees.