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Greater Napanee council has approved a new approach to the resale of cemetery interment rights, allowing third-party sales to continue while giving staff authority to handle certain buyback requests.
The issue was discussed at council’s meeting earlier this week following a report from Cemetery Administrator Sonia McLuckie. Interment rights include cemetery plots and niches.
Since 2012, the Bereavement Authority of Ontario has allowed owners to sell unused or unwanted interment rights. McLuckie told council that if the Town chose to prohibit third-party sales, provincial legislation would require the municipality to buy back those rights at current market value.
Staff recommended continuing to allow private sales while establishing criteria for when the Town may repurchase interment rights, such as exchanges between plots and niches.
Council also agreed to delegate buyback decisions to staff rather than requiring council approval.
Some councillors raised concerns about the financial risks associated with repurchasing interment rights. Council ultimately accepted the staff recommendation and approved the policy changes.
