People are changing the way they find eternal rest these days, so Centre Wellington Township has provided them with a new option.
A columbarium for the holding of urns and ashes from cremation was placed in the Belsyde cemetery cremation area on Monday morning. Engineering Services Coordinator Adam Dickieson said that more people are choosing to be cremated rather than being buried as they had in the past.
He noted in a report to council in May that there were only 36 more spaces in the cemetery cremation area, and council approved the purchase of one columbarium, and Dickieson is working on plans to add more of them as they are needed.
The columbarium was made by Sunset Memorials and Stone Ltd., of Calgary.
Dickieson said in his report to council, “In recent years, the sale of cremation lots has become more common in Belsyde Cemetery. In 2007, the ratio of cremations to full burials was nearly 50:50.
He explained, “A columbarium is a structure designed for interring cremated human remains in sealed compartments. A columbarium is also a secure, attractive, and lasting means of interring a family member. The proposed addition of a columbarium would accommodate the current trend by offering 72 companion niches (144 potential urns.)”
Dickieson said township staff conducted studies of columbaria, and learned from Woodland Cemetery, in London, that its staff is pleased with the one it purchased from Sunset.
Dickieson said he likes the idea that the columbarium is made of granite, and will stand the weather. Other types offered cement exteriors, and, in time, would deteriorate. He noted the inside is made of aluminum, is not exposed to weather, so the columbarium will be a permanent monument for those who have died.
He said in his report to council, “This design and columbarium approach will maximize the land usage while offering a dignified memorial for those who choose cremation.”
He also noted that the sale of niches will generate cash for the payment of the next columbarium.
Sunset not only offered what he believes is the best columbarium, but it had the lowest price at $34,872, including all taxes.
The niches are 12-inches wide, 12-inches high, and 16-inches deep, and they have a locking door for extra security.
The prices of the niches will vary, depending on their location. The lower two rows are at $1,400, the middle two are $1,500, and the top two are $1,600.
Dickieson said that the total cost of a niche and the lettering will be just over $2,000.
Dickieson added that instead of attachable plaques, the names and dates of the deceased can be sandblasted right into the stone.
Nancy Robinson, in the township clerk’s office, said Fergus was receiving the columbarium first because there is still lots of room in the Elora cemetery. She added that there are more burials in Fergus, not surprising since Fergus has a much higher population than Elora.
Elora still has 55% burials and 45% cremations.
The cost of burials in Centre Wellington Township cemeteries, including all taxes, is $786 for a single adult lot, $1,566 for a double adult lot, and $395 for a single lot for a child up to 8 years old.
As well, foundations are required at the Elora cemetery and that per grave charge is paid at the time of the lot sale. A single plot costs $126, and a double is $252.
Cremation lots are currently $650.
There are also fees for opening and closing graves.
On weekdays from 9am to 4pm, the cost of an adult grave opening is $594, for a child up to 8, $266, for an infant up to age one, $187, for cremation, $275, and for the columbarium, $200.
Saturday burial charges are up to $300 higher from 9am to noon, for adults. Only columbarium charges are lower on Saturdays.
