They are calling on anyone who still has the documents from their initial reservation of a burial plot or space in the wall to come forward with these documents. 

The stance of Council has been that the fee initially paid by someone at the time of reservation is essentially a deposit only and family members must pay the difference between the initial fee paid and what the burial is worth at the time of death. 

It is considered that people are purchasing a “right of burial” and rather than making a final payment. 

The argument used by Council is that the money initially paid by people making a reservation is not sitting in trust until the plot is used. The funds are directed back into Council’s revenue stream and used for varied activities across the shire, including maintenance of the cemetery. 

It is understood that prior to 2002 the fee structure surrounding cemetery reservations may not have been clear, however nowhere did it state the fee paid was a final payment. 

In 2002 the Council of the day sought to clarify the position of the shire and made it clearly known there would be a further fee charged at the time of use of the reservation. No fees are payable between the first payment and the time of burial. 

A 10 year grace period was given where the second burial fee was waived, however since 2012 it has been the practice that people must pay the difference between what they initially paid and what the site is worth. 

Council facilities and services manager Greg Ewings said it has been an emotive issue for local residents and Council wants to achieve some clarity on the subject so everyone is on the same page. 

He said if anyone can come forward with documents stating they have made a final payment, that will be honoured. 

It is also an opportunity for Council staff to explain what the documents people do have actually mean to avoid further confusion. 

“I think people have either misinterpreted the information given or been misinformed which might not be their fault but we need to clear it up so everyone understands the fees and charges in place,” Mr Ewings said. 

While some other shires work differently, Cootamundra’s policy is that people pay the full amount of burial at the time when they make a reservation, and then are charged the difference between that amount and the current fee payable when the reservation is used.

Contact Council for further information or see today’s Shire ad in the classifieds (page 10).