FELLSMERE — The price for a burial plot at the Historic Brookside Fellsmere Cemetery could be going up – but not for city residents.
Grave markers, too, could be on the rise, if the Fellsmere City Council approves allowing vertical markers at the cemetery.
The council is expected to hold public hearings on both issues at the next meeting, Aug. 19, and could approve the changes at that time. Public input is encouraged.
Fellsmere leaders are considering increasing the price for a single burial plot for non-residents between $300 and $400, depending on if the buyer is a county resident.
City residents can continue to purchase burial plots for $650. The 11.45-acre historic cemetery is located behind the Burger King at the junction of County Roads 510 and 512.
City Clerk Debbie Krages said that the city has been seeing more people from Brevard County and even Sebastian inquire about buying plots at Fellsmere’s cemetery.
“They say it’s because it’s so historic,” she said, but it’s really because the prices are $300 cheaper.
Krages told the council at a recent meeting that the proposed prices would be within $100 of area cemeteries.
County residents who live outside the City of Fellsmere could see the price of a plot go from $850 to $1,150. Those who do not live within Indian River County could see the price go from $1,100 to $1,500.
Along with raising the price for burial plots, the Fellsmere City Council is considering allowing grave markers to go vertical.
“It really does fit into what makes our cemetery so appealing,” City Manager Jason Nunemaker said of vertical markers.
Fellsmere Mayor Susan Adams expressed support for the vertical grave markers, noting that they look nice and help cemetery visitors find the grave they are looking for.
The city, which once allowed vertical markers, decided years ago to no longer continue the practice. Instead, grave markers were to be flat to the ground to better facilitate lawn maintenance and save money, according to city officials.
