Nelson City Council is seeking your feedback on its planned change to how its crematorium services are funded.

In its Long Term Plan 2024-2034 (LTP) Consultation Document, Council proposed to divest Council’s crematorium service at Wakapuaka Cemetery in Atawhai from 2025/26. However, at its meeting held on 23 May 2024 Council decided to instead remove the rates contribution to the cremation services and instead charge the full cost of cremation to the user. Meaning that Council will recover the full cost of providing and operating the crematorium from fees and charges from 1 August 2024.

The effect of this decision will be an increase in fees recovered from users of the crematorium of about $64,000 in 2024/25, and a reduction of about $64,000 in cremation costs charged as part of your rates.

In five years time, Council plans to replace its two aging diesel powered cremators with an electric cremator at a cost of approximately $1 million. The cost of this will also be recovered through fees and charges over a period of 20 years following that purchase.

Even with the planned charges, cremation will remain a highly cost effective option for the people of Nelson when compared with the cost of burial.

Following your feedback, Council will proceed with its plan to change how you pay for Nelson City Council cremation services, or, proceed with its original proposal to exit providing and operating a crematorium at Wakapuaka Cemetery.