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
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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 cemet...
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