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
NEW What Canada is doing about the toxic forever chemicals in drinking water
As the United States sets its first national limits on toxic forever chemicals in drinking water, researchers say Canada is lagging when it comes to regulations.
Arrest made, manslaughter charge pending in 2022 death of Calgary toddler
Calgary police have arrested a man and a charge is pending in connection with the death of a toddler in 2022.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Where did the gold go? Crime expert weighs in on unfolding Pearson Airport heist investigation
Almost 7,000 bars of pure gold were stolen from Pearson International Airport exactly one year ago during an elaborate heist, but so far only a tiny fraction of that stolen loot has been found.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
House admonishes ArriveCan contractor in rare parliamentary show of power
MPs enacted an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power on Wednesday, summonsing an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons where he was admonished publicly and forced to provide answers to the questions MPs said he'd previously evaded.
Here's why experts don't think cloud seeding played a role in Dubai's downpour
Scientists say it's highly unlikely cloud seeding is responsible for the heavy rains that have caused flooding in the United Arab Emirates this month, and that climate change is the more likely culprit.
Doug Ford calls on Ontario Speaker to reverse Queen's Park keffiyeh ban
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling on Speaker Ted Arnott to reverse a ban on keffiyehs at Queen's Park, describing the move as “needlessly” divisive.