Burial fees could rise by hundreds under Council plan

File photo / NZ Herald

An Auckland Council plan to make the costs of burial and ash plots and grave digging similar across the region could result in hikes of hundreds of dollars at some council cemeteries.

The largest proposed fees increase affects Waiheke Island and Great Barrier Island, ranging from $1096 to $1876.

For example, the burial interment fee on Great Barrier Island's cemetery goes from the present no charge to $1350.

The biggest rise in the proposal for burial plot fees is by $572 to $2000 on Waiheke Island while at Manukau Memorial Gardens it could go up by $536 to $4000.

In a proposal to tomorrow's council budget committee meeting Mayor Len Brown says the staff proposal is to both "harmonise" the fees and achieve cost recovery through the pricing structure.

"I believe it is appropriate and that the ratepayer should not be subsidising these activities," says Mr Brown.

The council staff proposal is to harmonise fees for: burial or ash plots, interment (digging) and related facilities hire (chapels, function lounges).

Great Barrier Local Board chairman Izzy Fordham said no fees had been charged for "donkey's years" at the island's Gooseberry Flat cemetery and now the cost of the services was being asked.

"I don't know the effect it will have on island folk.

"But it is a low socio economic area and increases make it really difficult."

Funeral director Richard Melville, of J Weir & Co, said the bid to have the same charges across the region was unfortunate.

"It's a sign of the timse - a move away from a service that communities offered to what the bureaucrats call putting things on a commercial footing.

"It's tough on people who are struggling and there's no way of assistance for them as far as the council is concerned."

Mr Melville said the Government provided funeral grants of up to $1998 to cover burial, plot and cremation charges.

"However, it does not help a lot those people whose culture requires a burial."