A proposal to charge larger people more for cremations in Hastings has been ditched in favour of an 'across the board' increase for all adults, regardless of size.
Photo: kzenon/123RF
Hastings District Council-owned Hastings Crematorium wanted to charge a $200 fee to cremate [https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/382871/oversized-casket-fee-due-to-population-trend-funeral-industry-body
"oversized" caskets] because they took twice as long to cremate.
Following a public backlash at the idea the council work shopped the proposal and decided it did not want to charge for cremations based on the size of coffins.
To make up the $6500 shortfall estimated by the crematorium the council was now proposing to charge all adults an extra $45, taking the cremation fee from next year to $645.
There would be no fee increase for babies or children, but some services such as issuing cremation certificates, would rise by 7.5 percent.
The Hastings District Council crematorium committee will discuss the fee change at its next meeting on Monday 8 April.