Resolved Updated

pet cremains burial in city cemeteries

Permit burial of cremated pets in designated areas of city cemeteries.

What to Watch
Watch for the city to publish the plain-language rules: where the designated areas are, what containers/markers are allowed, and the exact fees.
Coming Up

Typically discussed at Advisory Recreation Board. Check back when the next agenda is published.

The Story

On Nov. 3, the City Council unanimously changed the cemetery rules to allow cremated pet remains to be buried in designated areas of city cemeteries. The ordinance also sets the basic rules and fees so cemetery staff can handle requests consistently.

Key Decisions
  1. passed 9-0 City Council · Nov 3, 2025

    25-217 Ordinance to Amend Chapters 1-2 and 7-5 of the Municipal Code Regulating the Use of Municipal Cemeteries

    Motion to waive reading and adopt an Ordinance to Amend Chapters 1-2 and 7-5 of the Municipal Code Regulating the Use of Municipal Cemeteries.

    Mark Bittner Yes
    Doug Brandt Yes
    Shannon Derby Yes
    Bill LeClair Yes
    Darla LeClair Yes
    Tim Petri Yes
    Bonnie Shimulunas Yes
    Scott Stechmesser Yes
    Adam Wachowski Yes
  2. passed Advisory Recreation Board · Oct 8, 2025

    NEW BUSINESS

    Motion to approve Pet Cemetery action item: Approved a 4x4 plot size (allowing up to four cremation burials per plot). Fees established as follows: $200 per plot, $200 for opening/closing, and $250 for a flush grass marker with engraving. No irrigation will be provided, and only imitation flowers will be permitted.

  3. passed Advisory Recreation Board · Oct 8, 2025

    NEW BUSINESS

    Motion to approve Cemetery Rate Changes action item: increase plot rate to $800, add a Winter Burial Fee of $150, and increase Saturday/After-Hours Burial fee to $400.

  4. passed Advisory Recreation Board · Oct 8, 2025

    NEW BUSINESS

    Motion to approve Review of Recreation Program Rates action item: Spring Flag Football increased to $50; Girls Ponytail Softball to $55; Girls Single A Softball to $80; and Winter Indoor Soccer (2nd–4th grade) to $45.

Record

  1. The Advisory Recreation Board agenda included a "NEW BUSINESS" item, but no substantive details are documented in the record about pet cremains burial.

    Advisory Recreation Board

  2. City Council adopted Ordinance 25-217 amending Municipal Code Chapters 1-2 and 7-5 to allow burial of cremated domestic pet remains in designated areas of city cemeteries, including specified locations, requirements, and fees.

    City Council

  3. The ordinance passed unanimously, 9-0.

    City Council
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