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Oak Ridge Cemetery Faces Financial Difficulties
When a loved one passes away, more families are thinking about how to save on funeral expenses.
Cremations are now being chosen more over burials to save costs, and the effects can be seen in Oak Ridge Cemetery's financial shortfalls.
The city wants to subsidize the municipal-owned cemetery into the corporate fund and allocate an additional $380,000 to keep it afloat.
Touching Lincoln's nose for good fortune or seeing the historic president's resting place firsthand brings several visitors to Oak Ridge Cemetery.
"It's the feeling you get when you walk through," tourist Calina Cardwell said. "Its reverent."
Oak Ridge Cemetery is the second most visited cemetery in the county, and is nine times larger than other cemeteries in Illinois.
However, fewer people are choosing the grounds for their family's last resting place.
"Its not something that will be solved overnight, but it's not something we're ignoring," Board President Kate Peters said.
Revenues are coming in at $900,000 a year, while expenses fall at $1.2 million. Part of the decline is due to burials declining at a steady rate, falling from 400 to 250 in the last several years.
"We are working to create additional space where families can put cremated remains and still pay respect to loved ones," Peters said. "We're trying to be creative and do everything we can."
Visitors' fees at the Lincoln Tomb for additional revenue would not be an option because its state-owned.
Competitive pricing is being looked into, as Oak Ridge Cemetery is the most expensive burial ground in the capital city.
"Part of this directly has to do with city workers being unionized," Mayor Mike Houston said. "In terms of maintenance of the cemetery."
An average of 40 acres are maintained per ground staff compared to an average of 10.
"People can really learn a lot and see stuff that you can't read," the Knutsons said. "It's something you have to come and see in person."
City Council will discuss the allocation of funds for the cemetery at next Tuesday's Committee of the Whole.
