Burial fees to rise in Gloucester for people who don’t live in city
Its as the Council say cemetery space is running out
Burial fees in Gloucester for people who do not live in the city are set to rise.
Gloucester City Council chiefs are considering the introduction of non-resident fee to help prolong the space available for residents.
Cabinet are due to consider proposals at their meeting next week which, if approved, would lead to non-residents’ fees put in place for residents not living within the city boundary.
This fee would be charged if the deceased being buried in Gloucester was not living in the city when they died.
This charge, which has yet to be decided, will be on top of the exclusive right of burial fee meaning that people who don’t reside in Gloucester, but who want to be buried in Gloucester Cemeteries, will pay more than residents who do live in the city boundary.
This will not apply to people who have a pre-purchased grave in Gloucester Cemeteries, a person who will be interred into a re-opened grave and a person who was once a resident within Gloucester city boundary but moved out of the boundary to reside in a nursing home, hospice, or something of a similar nature, the latter scenario to be entirely at the council’s sole discretion.
The council says it is aware of the importance of the use of burial land to accommodate all faiths and beliefs of our city residents.
They currently own two cemeteries. One is in Tredworth Road which was closed to new burials in 1990s and can only be used for purchase in reserve burials and reopens into an existing grave.
And another is at Coney Hill which at present is an open cemetery to all residents of any areas in and out of the city boundary.
The city council says it has been actively seeking additional burial land to continue to offer residents the option of burial.
This is an ongoing project to increase burial space in Gloucester.
“Gloucester Cemetery fees are lower than those of our neighbouring authorities. The lower fee rate makes Gloucester Cemetery more attractive to non-residents,” the report reads.
“This creates a greater demand for burial space and the available space is being used quicker than expected.
“Creating a charge for non-residents will bring pricing in line with our neighbouring authorities and reduce demand for non-resident burials.
“This will maintain the burial space available for Gloucester residents. The proposed non-residents fee will be set at three times the purchase of burial rights fee for 50 years along with the interment fee and this will be subject to annual review.”
A spokesperson for Gloucester City Council said: “Gloucester Cemetery fees are currently lower than those of neighbouring authorities, making them more attractive to non-residents. This creates a greater demand for burial space in Gloucester.
“Creating a charge for non-residents will bring prices in line with neighbouring authorities, reduce demand for non-resident burials and maintain space for our residents.”
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