Some rates for cemetery services in Jefferson will see an increase.

The City Council recently approved increasing three different rates. A regular burial will go up $75 to $575, a burial that takes place on a city holiday will be up to $700 and the cremation rate will go up to $250, or a $50 increase. Jefferson Mayor Pro Tem Harry Ahrenholtz believes the fee increases are fair because none of them have been raised in four years.

“That was the consensus of the full (cemetery) committee when we met and I am apart of that committee. I attended all of the meetings that we discussed this.”

Ahrenholtz understands burial fees on city holidays might be a lot already to then raise it by $100 to $700, but there’s a reason for it.

“When we have to mobilize crews on a holiday, of course the pay is 1 ½ to 2-times what it is on a normal day, so (we) tried to cover at least some of those costs.”

The rate increases are for the city cemetery and St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery. The change in rates will go into effect starting July 1st.