Burial in 'sustainable lot' may be discounted 50% at Vancouver cemetery next year: city report
Choosing to be buried in a more eco-friendly way in Vancouver may come with a discount starting next year, if a report to city council is approved.
The report, which is from the general manager of arts, culture and community services, outlines all fee increases for Mountain View Cemetery. It will be presented next week.
The report says there are nearly 150,000 interred remains at the 106-acre site, which is the only cemetery in the city.
While most of the proposed fees for next year are an increase, the report recommends "significant reductions" for those wanting to use space in "sustainable burial area(s)" in the cemetery.
"Interment within these areas requires no use of outer (typically) concrete burial containers, no embalming chemicals and only fully biodegradable caskets, containers or shrouds," the report to council says.
"Considered to be one of the most environmentally sustainable ways to bury the deceased, (Mountain View Cemetery) also provides an option for those who are comfortable and agree to share their space with others."
In 2021, single internment in a sustainable lot costs $9,500. However, the proposed fee for 2022 is $4,671, before taxes.
The cost of internment in a shared lot might also go down from $12,500 to $9,523.81 in 2022.
The report suggests the discount will make these "green burial" options the least expensive in the cemetery.
"The reduced fee is meant to encourage and invite more people to consider and choose this environmentally preferred option," the report said.
The cost of burial options range widely, but a space for a casket with a flat marker is $25,000 in 2021 and set to go up next year.
The report is scheduled to be presented to council on Oct. 19.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
BREAKING Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.