MARK SCHUMANN
Though it has been reported that the city is considering selling Crestlawn Cemetery to cut expenses, City Manager Jim O’Connor said the plan is, in fact, part of a larger effort to sell assets to raise cash.
According to O’Connor, the city is breaking even on the operation of the cemetery, even though the city’s rates for cemetery spaces and columbarium niches are below market price.
Because prices charged by for-profit cemeteries are twice the city’s rates, O’Connor said there is an opportunity to increase revenue and begin earning a profit and building reserves.
Located on Old Dixie Highway between 16th Street and 12th Street, Crestlawn was established in 1937, when the Jaycees gave the land to the city. The 23.7-acre site has 1,674 unsold cemetery spaces and 953 unsold columbarium niches.
In a guest column published June 8 in the Press Journal, Tony Young, a third-generation Vero Beach resident whose grandfather was the city’s first mayor, wrote, “The cemetery is a treasure of our past. Many of the pioneers and families who have shaped Indian River County are buried there.”
“If sold or leased a gamut of issues will be created,” Young added. “The $200 million suit facing funeral giant Service Corporation International in Palm Beach County should be a warning. Compare some corporate owned cemeteries to Crestlawn. There is a vast difference in care.”
According to O’Connor, City staff is currently preparing a request for proposals to be considered by the City Council when it meets on August 20. If approved, the RFP will be issued, and for-profit funeral homes will have an opportunity to bid on buying Crestlawn.
Young has established a website: http://www.keepcrestlawn.com. He is encouraging supporters of retaining the 74-year-old city-owned cemetery to visit the website and to attend the August 20 Council meeting.
Indian River Guardian 
Is the property across the street part of the cemetary. I don’t see that we would need that. But since it was donated, maybe we could remove the no trespassing signs and allow some use of it. Like progressive city’s all over the county do. Frisbee, soccer, picnics, etc.
This really makes me sad. All of the things that we have been able to count on which has made Vero so lovely, warm and community connected are under attack right now. It is about money, it is about bean counters and people who have no real connection to our hometown. Like I said, sad.
No, the city shouldn’t sell it. many a people who have lived in the county are buried there as well.
Meaning that they are looking for all kinds of assets to sell and the cemetery is just one of them? I’m kind of surprised that after all these years that there unsold spaces or niches. If the cemetery is breaking even, and the rates are below market prices, wouldn’t the obvious thing be to raise prices to match market and stay away from the edge of trouble? I’m sure no one cares, but something in me gets kind of frantic with the idea of my grandparents’ graves being sold. You’d just think that when you are laid to rest, you could, you know, rest.
This shouldn’t be about money. This should be about honoring those folks who once lived, family members, friends, but more importantly… human beings. The ground is sacred and should be protected from foolish monetary concerns. There are many other places where monies could be found. Eliminate some fat in the city budget throughout, but never back out of your commitment to honor the dead. The true character of a community can be seen by the way they honor the elderly and our forefathers.