Burial Plot Sales Spike Before Price Increase

The City of La Grange officially raised fees for burial plots in the La Grange City Cemetery.

Council first discussed the proposal two weeks ago, as reported in the Oct. 29 issue of the Record. Fees will go from $500 to $850 for city residents and from $1,000 to $1,700 for nonresidents. In addition, Council approved new special fees for infant burials: $250 for residents and $500 for nonresidents. Previously, the City charged full price for infant burials.

City Secretary Janet Bayer reported that about 84 percent of the lots sold have gone to residents and 14 percent to nonresidents. About one percent of sales have been for infant burials, she said.

At the last Council meeting on Oct. 25, Raborn predicted a jump in sales when the public learns of a possible fee increase. That prediction came true. Bayer reported that the City sold 27 in the 10 days after the Oct. 29 story came out. The City sold 35 lots during all of last year.

The public can still purchase lots at the old prices until Jan. 1, 2022, when the new fees go into effect.