Rates double at municipal cemetery

By By Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
The cost of a burial plot in Hartselle City Cemetery is increasing from $250 to $500 and the way titles are conveyed is changing also.
The City Council adopted the ordinance without dissent at its July 8 regular meeting after hearing a report on costs associated with the opening of a new addition. City officials said the new rate is more in line with other municipally owned cemeteries in the area and considerably less than what’s charged for a similar plot in the a privately owned cemetery.
The city purchased a house and parcel of land adjoining the cemetery several years ago with the idea of using it for cemetery space in the future. The parcel was surveyed and plated recently. Consequently, 254 burial plots were added to the cemetery.
The Hartselle Cemetery Association approved the change.
In addition to authorizing the rate increase, the ordinance does away with a title to the burial plot and replaces it with an interment right. The right to use the land for burial remains exclusive and perpetual as long as the land is used as a cemetery. However, the interment right expires after 75 years if the plot is not used.
The new cemetery addition extends south along Hammitt Street for 150 feet and is 155 feet deep. It has met all state regulations and is ready for use.
A complete copy of the ordinance is published in this week’s Hartselle Enquirer.