Chatham-Kent staff and representatives of the Kent Law Society will be meeting Nov. 26 to determine how best to implement planned changes in municipal and provincial procedure regarding burial plots.
Kent Law Association President Jay Johnson said he would welcome the opportunity to discuss potential changes.
“Yesterday was the first I’ve heard of this so we’re very interested in finding out what has to happen and what our role might be,” he said. “Any time you’re dealing with families in stress, even minor changes can have a serious impact.”
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The meeting came about at the request of C-K councillor Carmen McGregor at last week’s council meeting where she successfully argued to have the matter of how the municipality handles the issue of cemetery plots and burial fees put on hold.
McGregor had the bylaw tabled due to concerns over increase in fees and a lack of consultation regarding how lawyers are going to comply with the changes.
The new bylaw would require lawyers to provide proof of ownership of the plots before an individual could be buried in them.
“In many cases, the plots have been handed down from generation to generation and to expect someone to find the will of the original purchaser and trace it through two or three generations in the time between death and burial is impractical,” she told the Voice. “The last thing a grieving family needs to is to not to be able to bury someone due to bureaucracy.”
Municipal solicitor Dave Taylor told Chatham-Kent council that there have been meetings with funeral directors, outlining the changes and that there hasn’t been any problems.
McGregor said she’s heard otherwise from funeral directors and lawyers who both want to be in compliance with the changes to the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services that was amended three years ago.
“We need to consult with the lawyers to make sure what we expect can be accomplished,” she said.
McGregor is also concerned with the change in prices brought forth in the bylaw, noting that the transfer of ownership fee is increasing from $46 to $181 and the death registration fee will rise from $18.71 to $64.50.
The new fees were based on the average of fees from Hamilton through Windsor.
McGregor noted that some other fees associated with burials such as grave opening are higher in Chatham-Kent than elsewhere.
Shaking my head…at the city officials looking to line their pockets on the dead and greiving families it sickens me to death
this is crap! What is wrong with these city officials!
Let's pray for some common sense from the Councillors. This rasie is fees is just a money grab. Look elsewhere for income or savings from other areas.
what is the transfer of ownership? The person who purchased this still owns the land, as they intended when they purchased the plots.
Are we going to China again so we need more money in our taxpayers coffers????????????????
Unreal, I would have thought that taxes would have been done when you die,
but hey they get you coming and going…..How sad that they are going to kick someone at the worst time of their lives….shame on all of you that agree with this.
This story doesn't tell you, when you die. Your family needs $1224.00 for the city to did your grave before the funeral. Won't allow funeral homes to include it with the funeral any longer.
We found out the day after my mom passed and had two days to get it together. If you don't have that cash on hand, you have to request help from welfare. They won't help with just the grave, you have to have a city burial in a ugly blue box. They won't even wait for your life insurance to pay it. You have till day of the funeral, that's it.