Burial fee a 'tax grab into the grave'

A local funeral director finds the city's upcoming burial permit charge “unacceptable” and “offensive.”

Lougheed's Funeral Home director Gerry Lougheed Jr. said the $27 fee that will be introduced in 2013 is “a tax grab into the grave.”

In cemetery services, municipalities don't lose money, he said. In fact, it makes money for the municipality, so there is no requirement for additional taxes.

“I think it's very inappropriate and offensive that there was no consultation in the community with funeral stakeholders and directors, who deal with people to get a sense of whether or not it would be required,” he said.“It's just a little over $40,000 - surely, our community can find other ways to generate that amount rather than taxing (burial permits).”

For the first time in its history, the city will start charging for burial permits.

The $27 fee will come into effect on Jan. 1, 2013. It was approved by the finance and administration committee on March 20. Council is expected to rubber stamp it at its next meeting. An additional fee of $65 will be charged for permits processed after hours or on weekends.

On occasion, a funeral home will request that a burial permit be issued on the weekend, according to a report filed by city staff. In that situation, staff must be called in and, in accordance with the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the minimum time period of the call-in is four hours at overtime rates.

Staff who are called in are expected to work the full four hours of the call-in on other duties, even if only one burial permit is required. Staff costs associated with issuance of burial permit on weekends range from $75 to $200 depending on whether it is a Saturday, a Sunday or a statutory holiday.

The city expects the fees to generate $42,200 per year in new revenue, which would be incorporated into the 2013 operating budget.

Ward 11 Coun. Terry Kett, chair of the committee, said the fee came as part of the Towards Fiscal Sustainability Initiatives. Across Ontario, most municipalities charge for burial permits. City staff looked at the average cost of burial permits, with the average pegged at $27. That's the figure recommended to the finance and administrative committee.

The city North Bay charges $40 for permits during business hours, and $60 after hours and on weekends. The city of Chatham-Kent is the lowest on the list and charges $17.50.

“We want to deliver services in a cost-effective and efficient manner, while ensuring that operating revenues are sustainable and consider community-wide and individual benefit,” Kett said.

Several other options were on the table for council's consideration, which included a fee of $27 for all burial permits with no additional charges for permits issued after hours; a fee of $65 for burial permits issued after hours only, and no charge for permits issued within business hours.

The final option was to remain status quo and not charge any fees for burial permits.

Kett said he hopes that citizens will accept that as a common charge, “ when funeral costs are $10,000, it's just an average cost of $27 for a burial permit.”

Posted by Arron Pickard