Council moves changes to cemetery bylaw

Merritt City Council has approved the first three reading of an amendment to the cemetery bylaw.

The changes are with regards to the columbarium that was recently purchased by the City and the work to expand the cemetery approved in the 2021 capital plan.

“Staff have begun work on the expansion of the cemetery which is expected to be completed in 2022; Phase 2 includes relocation of the columbarium to the newly developed cremation garden,” wrote Deputy Corporate Officer Linda Brick.

“City of Merritt Cemetery Bylaw 2244, 2018 was adopted prior to the final design decision on the columbarium and contains language which has since become outdated. The proposed amendment to City of Merritt Cemetery Bylaw 2244, 2018 provides updated guidelines for niche memorial stone inscriptions and sets the maximum occupancy level for each niche size,” added Brick.

City was not looking to move the columbarium but CAO Sean Smith admitted the opportunity to properly situate the site was part of the original master plan years ago.