If you're looking for cemetery lots in north Davis County, you'll find a wide variety in fees and resident definitions. Syracuse and West Point have the lowest prices, while Clinton, Kaysville and Fruit Heights are the most expensive.
Also, four cities - Layton, Fruit Heights, Sunset and South Weber - lack their own city cemeteries.The costs of lots and burials have increased dramatically in most cities in recent years, mostly due to the demand from the four cities that lack their own cemeteries.
Syracuse and West Point have the cheapest lot prices for the area. Lots go for $150 for residents and $550 for nonresidents. Interment fees are $85 for residents and $300 for nonresidents.
Assistant city recorder Kathy Holt said the city increased nonresident prices in 1986 because people shopped around and found Syracuse's costs attractive.
"We felt we wanted to reserve space for our residents," Holt said, explaining the city still wants to purchase more land for future cemetery expansion.
Property ownership is used to determine resident status for cemetery lot purchases.
For West Point, lots go for $200 and $300 respectively for residents and nonresidents, while burial costs are $100 and $500. The city will also make exceptions for former residents, who, for example, moved to a rest home outside the city.
City recorder Diane Moss said West Point doesn't attract many nonresidents who want to purchase cemetery lots. Prices were increased in 1990 to discourage nonresidents from buying lots.Kaysville has the highest nonresident fees. Lots sell for $250 for residents and $300 for outsiders. The big difference is burial, where residents pay only $225 and nonresidents pay $1,100.
City recorder Linda Ross said Kaysville increased prices in 1994 to discourage outside use of the cemetery, and the plan has worked.
Clearfield's total lot and burial fees are $550 for residents vs. $1,050 for nonresidents. A resident is defined as someone who lives in the city.
The city separated resident and nonresident fees more than 16 years ago and increased prices in 1994 to keep the cemetery more free for residents. City officials say the higher costs are keeping outsiders away.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Cemetery fees: NORTH DAVIS COUNTY
Prices for single lots and interment include perpetual care.
Resident fees* Non-resident fees
Clearfield $550 $1,050
Clinton $650 $1,300
Kaysville $475 $1,400
Syracuse $235 $850
West Point $300 $800
Fruit Heights, Layton, South Weber and Sunset have no cemeteries.
Costs of burial are usually higher on weekends or holidays. Prices are lower for infants.
*Definitions of "city resident" vary.