Council to consider columbarium purchase

Mapleton council will consider the purchase of a columbarium for the Drayton cemetery during 2013 and 2014 capital budget deliberations.

Council accepted a recommendation from the Mapleton cemetery committee to consider the purchase at its Nov. 13 meeting.

Minutes from the Oct. 22 cemetery committee meeting indicate the committee noted that with only four or five cremation lots sold at the cemetery, a columbarium might be a more suitable alternative. The cost of the columbarium is estimated at $25,000 to $30,000. The committee suggested if the funds were not available in 2013 that council consider funding the project over two years.

Councillor Jim Curry questioned the need for a columbarium, given the relatively low usage of the earth burial cremation option.

“We’ve had requests for it,” noted CAO Patty Sinnamon.