Bylaw affects selling of graves, niches and crypts

NEWS RELEASE

CITY OF SAULT STE. MARIE

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New by-law regulating cemeteries passed

SAULT STE. MARIE, ON - Sault Ste. Marie City Council passed Cemeteries By-law 2012-129 on June 25, 2012.

The by-law has been forwarded to the Provincial Cemetery Registrar for final approval.

Cemetery rules and regulations remain unchanged, with the exception that individuals who own graves (or niches or crypts) may now sell them on the open market.

Prior to July 1, 2012, owners of interment rights (niches, crypts, or graves) had two options if they wanted to dispose of those rights.

They could either transfer them to a third party at no fee or return them to the City.

For transfers to the City, the legislation provided that the owner would only receive the amount of money they originally paid for the niche, crypt, or grave less the amount held in trust (as prescribed by statute) for perpetual care and maintenance of the cemetery.

After July 1, 2012, owners of niches, crypts, or graves will be able to sell them to a third party and will be permitted to charge what the market bears, provided that they are not sold for more than the City currently charges.

Copies of the by-law are available at the office of the City Clerk, Level 4, Civic Centre, 99 Foster Drive, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, P6A 5X6 and on the municipal website – City Hall – Bulletins.

Submissions relating to Cemetery By-law 2012-129 may be made to:

• City Clerk Corporation of the City of Sault Ste. Marie Level 4, Civic Centre 99 Foster Drive Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 5X6

• Cemetery Registrar Ministry of Consumer Services Consumer Protection Branch 5775 Yonge Street, Suite 1500 Toronto, ON M7A 2E5.

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