2019-192 Cemetery FeesDate: December 6, 2019 Report No. 2019-192
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
Provide information regarding Oakwood and IOOF cemetery schedule of fees.
BACKGROUND:
On September 17, 2019, Council Member Davis asked about the basis for the City of Denton
cemetery fees, how the current fees compare with other similar municipal cemeteries, 24-hour late
fee, and the policy decisions how the fees were adopted.
2009
In 2009, there was an increase of fees for IOOF and Oakwood cemetery in response to the last fee
change approved by City Council on September 2, 2003 (ordinance 2003-268). In addition to the
increase, a 24-hour late fee was added to the schedule of fees. The 24-hour late fee is to discourage
requests for monument placement or internments. In the past, businesses would call at the last
minute and inform staff of the impending request for service the following day. Prior to the 24-
hour late fee, this created a challenge for staff as they did not have adequate time to research burial
locations, availability, family plots, record information, take measurements, and mark locations of
the burial within the allotted timeframe. On September 22, 2009, City Council approved these
changes per ordinance 2009-239.
2017
In 2017, at the request of City Council, the fees were reviewed to realign with the market cost
associated with IOOF and Oakwood cemeteries. A cost comparison study was initiated at that time
to review the fee schedule in comparison with other organizations.
2017 Cost Comparison Study
In response to the cost comparison study, the Parks and Recreation Department (PARD)
recommended the following changes and adjustments to the schedule of fees:
2017 Cemetery Plot Fees Changes
IOOF Cemetery
o Full Coffin from $600 to $900
o Infant Coffin from $250 to $375
o Cremains from $100 to $150
o Burial Permit from $50 to $75
o Stone Permit from $50 to $75
Oakwood Cemetery
Date: December 6, 2019 Report No. 2019-192
o Full Coffin from $350 to $525
o Infant Coffin from $250 to $375
o Permits remained the same at $50
On September 19, 2017, City Council approved these changes per ordinance 2017-263.
2018
In 2018, a review of the current fee schedule determined the 24-hour late fees that was on a
previous schedule of fees approved in ordinance 2009-239 was omitted. Once the error was
identified, City Council approved the schedule of fees and staff added the 24-hour late fee back in
effective FY2018-2019 budget process.
Late Fee
o Late Fee for Monument Work Permit
• $500 if permit requested less than 24 full business hours prior to monument
install
o Late Fee for Interment Permit
• $500 if permit requested less than 24 full business hours prior to interment
The proposed fee changes were reviewed by the Parks, Recreation and Beautification Board on
August 6, 2018 and recommended for approval with a vote of 4-0.
The schedule of fees was adopted by City Council on September 18, 2018 and became effective
October 1, 2018 per ordinance 18-1488.
Even though the 24-hour late fee was reinstated, the 24-hour late fee can be waived for religious
requirements such as a deceased body has to be returned to the earth within 24 hours of death.
2019
In 2019, there were no changes to the schedule of fees for IOOF and Oakwood cemeteries. The
current schedule of fees was adopted per ordinance 19-2110.
DISCUSSION:
Per City Council Member Jesse Davis request, a cost comparison study was initiated to compare
the current fee schedule with other cemetery organizations. The same format was used for this cost
comparison to maintain consistency with the previous cost comparison study in 2017. The
comparison study includes two nearby cities within or close to the DFW area, two non-municipal
historical cemeteries in Denton, and two non-municipal cemeteries in the DFW area. The cost
comparison study of cemeteries is complex. Every cemetery has a variety of different options. The
comparison of different organizations includes the opening and closing of burial fees. However,
the current fees for Oakwood and IOOF cemeteries do not include the burial fees. In the event of
a death, the patron (through the funeral home) would hire a certified contractor that is bonded and
insured to work in our cemeteries to open and close the grave. The burial fee cost is an additional
cost to the patron separate from the schedule of fees and is paid directly to the contractor. The
current burial cost can vary depending the day of the week and services requested. Below is a
Date: December 6, 2019 Report No. 2019-192
description of the cost of burial services provided by a local funeral home that is separate from the
current schedule of fees. These are costs associated with the opening and closing of a grave, burial
vaults, tents, and chairs.
Associated Burial Cost
o Weekdays, Monday – Friday $600 - $800
o Saturday – Sunday $900 - $1,100
o Infant $400 - $550
o Cremains $485 - $580
o Cremains, Baby’s & Sunday only $460 additional cost
Recent Cost Comparison Study
STAFF CONTACT:
Eddie Valdez
Management Analyst
Parks and Recreation Department
Eddie.Valdez@CityofDenton.com
Ext 8748
REQUESTOR:
Council Member Davis
PARTICIPTAING DEPARTMENTS:
Parks and Recreation
o Heather Gray, Business Manger
o Teresa Abrams, Parks Field Supervisor
City Secretary
o Jane Richardson
STAFF TIME TO COMPLETE REPORT:
12 hours