HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 8.1 DublinCemeteryOperation (2)
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CITY OF DUBLIN
AGENDA STATEMENT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: August 9, 1993
SUBJECT
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Dublin Cemetery Operation
Report by Diane Lowart, Recreation Director
EXHIBITS ATTACHED
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None
RECOMMENDATIONt\{;~
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FINANCIAL STATEMENT :
Direct Staff to Prepare a Request For
Proposal for Management of Burials at
the Dublin Cemetery
None
DESCRIPTION : with the acquisition of the Dublin Cemetery
impending, it is necessary to determine burial procedures and notify
the former membership of the Dublin Cemetery, Inc. (plot owners) of
the change in ownership.
Staff has met with the current Board of Directors of the Dublin
Cemetery, Inc. to learn how burials are currently handled and to
review the records of the corporation. In addition, Staff has been in
contact with local cemeteries and mortuaries to determine the services
that are currently available in the valley, and to inquire as to the
feasibility of contracting for burial services.
Mortuaries typically handle the
preparing the deceased for
arrangements. Cemeteries, on the
actual burial of the deceased and
grounds and plots.
pre-burial arrangements such as
burial and making the funeral
other hand, are responsible for the
for long-term care of the cemetery .
Locally there are several "active" cemeteries which can be categorized
as follows: 1) private for-profiti 2) private non-profiti and 3)
public. All of the local cemeteries have paid staff who are
responsible for grounds and plot maintenance, burials and management
of the cemetery.
With regards to the Dublin Cemetery, currently the Board of Directors
serve as the burial or funeral director and the opening and closing of
the grave is contracted to an independent backhoe operator. The
procedure that is followed when a burial is required is outlined
below:
Prior to Burial
1. Family of deceased contacts Board member to make arrangements
for buriali
2. Board member confirms plot location, space availability and
verifies recordsi
3. Board member contacts backhoe operator and coordinates
opening/closing of grave and delivery of concrete vault:
Day of Burial
4. Backhoe operator opens grave and installs concrete vault;
5. Board member prepares grave site for burial service (installs
lowering device for casket, lays carpet adjacent to grave);
6. Board member remains for graveside service and collects payment
from family;
7. Board member lowers casket into the ground, removes lowering
device and remains at cemetery until backhoe operator returns to
cap concrete vault and close grave (sometimes several hours
elapse from the time that the service ends and the backhoe
operator arrives);
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ITEM NO.~ COPIES TO: Dublin Cemetery, Inc.
CITY CLERK
FILE~
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After Burial
8. Board member files "Permit for Disposition of Human Remains" with
County of Alameda;
9. Board member updates plot map and records.
It should be noted that although the city will not be selling plots,
there are still many plots that have not yet been utilized. The
average number of burials per year is six, however, there have already
been seven burials during 1993.
The City does not presently have staff with experience in cemetery
operations and the number of annual burials does not warrant hiring a
permanent employee to handle this responsibility. Further, due to
staff reductions that were implemented in the Fiscal Year 1993-94
Budget, there is not staff time available to assume this
responsibility. Consequently, it is recommended that the City attempt
to contract with a local cemetery or mortuary to handle the burials
at the Dublin Cemetery. If the City Council is agreeable, staff will
prepare a Request For Proposals for distribution. -