Graves at Oakview Cemetery (also known as Maplewood Cemetery) are framed by tree branches. Beginning Aug. 1, the cost of plots in the town-owned cemetery, currently $800 and $900, will increase to $1,200 across the board. A plot at Carver Cemetery, where the current costs are $800 and $900, will increase to $1,000 across the board. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)
Beginning Aug. 1 it, will cost more to purchase plots in the town-owned Oakview and Carver cemeteries.
The costs for plots in Oakview (also known as Maplewood), currently $800 and $900, will increase to $1,200 across the board. The cost at Carver, currently $800 and $900, will rise to $1,000 across the board.
The maintenance level at the Carver Cemetery is not as big a job — nor cutting the grass — as those chores are at Oakview, Mount Olive Cemetery Director Justin Hill told town commissioners during their Tuesday, June 13, session.That is the reason for the difference in cost between the two, he noted.
The increases follow several months of board discussion.
The issue had been on the board’s April session, but was tabled to provide Hill more time to research how the town’s prices compared to those in surrounding areas.
During the session, the director told the board the town’s prices were some of the cheapest in the area.
Hill has said the increases are needed to help cover an anticipated increase in the cost to keep the cemeteries mowed and maintained.
Waiting to implement the increases until Aug. 1 provides enough time to send a mail-out to all funeral homes about the price increases because they sell a lot of plots, Hill said.
“Urn burials are $300,” Hill said. “We pay $300 in contractor prices, and we make no revenue off them at all. So I am asking those for $500 so we make a little bit on it.
“That will help out with future development, maintenance. Carver is going to have to have some expansion and that is going to cost. Right now we only have like 400 plots available at Carver, about 1,000 at Oakview.”
Mayor Kenny Talton asked Hill if he was able to clarify if the land at the front of the Carver Cemetery was part of the cemetery and available.
It is, Hill responded. Also, a wooded area at the back of the cemetery can be used as well, he added.
“We have in-house financing to help people out who cannot afford the prices,” Hill added. “We do our own at no finance charge. We have a lot of pre-payments.”
Mayor Pro-tem Steve Wiggins made the motion to approve the new rates. It was seconded by Commissioner Vicky Darden and approved by a 5-0 vote.
