2019-199 - Grave ServicesDate: December 13, 2019 Report No. 2019-199
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT: Cemetery Fees
BACKGROUND:
On December 9, a question was asked by Council Member Armintor regarding the costs for
cremains and infants on Sundays. The information below will provide clarification to the
question and additional information regarding future steps in cemetery operations.
DISCUSSION:
The Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) does not perform grave burial services. The City
of Denton schedule of fees provides costs for cemeteries only pertaining to permits and sale of the
plots. In the event of a death, patrons work with funeral homes to coordinate burial services.
Funeral homes coordinate with businesses that are bonded and insured to work on Denton’s
cemeteries. Currently, Calvert Grave Service Inc. is the only certified contractor that performs
burial services at the city cemeteries. In addition, Calvert Grave Service has performed burial
services for IOOF and Oakwood Cemetery for several generations.
PARD staff reached out to the certified contractor, several months ago to gather input regarding
their pricing structure (Exhibit 1). It turns out that Calvert Grave Service sent us the incorrect
pricing list, which was listed on the Informal Staff Report (ISR). On December 10, 2019, Calvert
Grave Service sent us the correct pricing list (Exhibit 2). The chart below is the associated burial
costs Calvert Grave Service provides for patrons.
Correct Service Charges (Provided Dec 10,
2019)
Original Service Charges (Incorrect)
Full Size Coffin Full Size Coffin
Weekdays, Monday – Friday $620 - $850 Weekdays, Monday – Friday $600 - $800
Saturday - Sunday $1,000 - $1,600 Saturday - Sunday $900 -
$1,100
Infant Coffin $400 - $550 Infant Coffin $400 - $550
Cremains $520 - $600 Cremains $485 - $580
Additional Cost Additional Cost
Cremains, Infant (Saturday) $300 Cremains, Infant (Sunday
only)
$460
Cremains, Infant (Sunday) $500
Date: December 13, 2019 Report No. 2019-199
Per the list provided by Calvert Grave Service, the burial cost is slightly higher compared to the
original pricing that was provided to staff. Also, there is an additional cost on Saturdays for
cremains and infants.
It is noted on the Calvert Grave Service fees that they discourage funerals on Sundays at IOOF
or Oakwood Cemetery. In conversations with the contractor, they prefer not to do burials on
Sundays so that they can have a day of rest. However, Calvary Grave Service can do funerals on
a Sunday on a case-by-case basis. Therefore, the contract sets prices higher on weekends, and
especially on a Sunday, to discourage funeral services from occurring. In addition, it takes 24
business hours to process permits for burials, and the City of Denton is closed on Saturdays,
which could be a time constraint for patrons wanting to do funeral service on a Sunday. Lastly,
the additional cost on Saturdays and Sundays pertains only to cremains and infant burials. There
is already a separate charge for full size coffin burials for Saturdays and Sundays.
Since Calvert Grave Service is the only contractor that provides burial services for IOOF and
Oakwood Cemetery, PARD is researching opportunities to improve the selection of burial services
provided to patrons. PARD is exploring the idea of offering burial services conducted by staff and
working with Purchasing to identify other potential service providers. By exploring these options,
this would be an opportunity for the City of Denton to improve the current process and services
we provide for patrons at IOOF and Oakwood Cemeteries.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Incorrect Calvert Grave Service Costs
2. Correct Calvert Grave Service Costs
STAFF CONTACT:
Gary Packan
Parks and Recreation
Gary.Packan@cityofdenton.com
REQUESTOR: Council Member Armintor
PARTICIPATING DEPARTMENTS: Parks and Recreation
STAFF TIME TO COMPLETE REPORT: 2 hours