City updates codes at Newton Memorial Park Cemetery

April 24--Several procedural changes were made concerning Newton Memorial Park Cemetery to expedite processes. City council approved an update to the language in city codes relating to the purchase of cemetery plots, who can sign the certificate of interment and the depositing of care fund money.

Newton Memorial Park Cemetery, 2710 First Ave. E., came into the city's ownership in October 2015 after the Iowa Insurance Division received it from its previous owner. It is one of two city-owned and operated perpetual care cemeteries with the other being Union Cemetery.

Since acquiring the cemetery, the city has been doing a LEAN process for cemetery work and realized that paperwork flows between several city offices. Previously, a buyer of the burial lot received a "cemetery deed." The term "deed" is often used for the sale of land and was confusing to the public who believed they purchased a piece of land at the cemetery when in reality the buyer purchased the right of burial or interment.

To clarify the terminology, the city will use the term "interment rights," a change from the word "deed." A certificate of interment rights will now be issued when plots are purchased.

"City staff has been doing a LEAN process of cemetery work. During this process it was realized the paperwork flows between several city offices, including city hall where the mayor signs the certificate of interment," city administrator Matt Muckler said.

After speaking with IID, the city found that an elected official does not need to sign the certificate and a person representing the city may sign it. By making this change, thee purchaser of the burial lot will be able to receive the certificate the day they pay and it would eliminate paperwork being transported between multiple city offices.

The city is also updating city code to match state code regarding the requirement of perpetual cemeteries to set aside and deposit in the care fund an amount equal to or greater than $50 or 20 percent of the gross selling price received for each sale of interment rights, whichever is more. The city has been complying with this code but with approval it will now be city code.

"I think it is nice that we will be able to increase the customer service in this realm and remove the duplicate paper work from moving it back and forth," councilwoman Miranda Kulis said.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com

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