A proposal to establish a pet cemetery within Elmwood Cemetery was suggested at the Brighton City Council study session Tuesday.
Cemetery staff suggested the idea to develop a pet cemetery inside Elmwood Cemetery, 14800 Old Brighton Road, that is considered undesirable for human burial because of its close proximity to the cemetery office and shop area. The pet cemetery area would be located on the west side of the main office building.
“This small parcel of land is a perfect place for people to memorialize their four-legged family members “ said Aaron Corr, cemetery manager for Brighton.
Pet cemeteries are becoming more popular as more people are requesting a respectful place to inter their beloved pets.
There are pet cemeteries operating in Commerce City, Evergreen and two in Fort Collins, also one being developed in Resthaven Cemetery in Loveland as well.
The financial impact to Brighton would be minimal because the land already belongs to the city. The cement used to make four lot pins and lay out the cemetery is about $100, with brochures made in-house at $200, for a total cost to the city of $300. Sales of the plots would bring in additional revenue to the cemetery.
The cemetery staff proposed that one full sized plot would be 4-feet-by-2-feet and could be used for one burial or two cremated burials. No planting of any type would be allowed but a granite vase could be used, inverted so they could go into the ground when not in use. Monuments would have to be flat/flush granite or bronze on granite markers being no bigger than 3-foot-by-20-foot when set in concrete. All current cemetery rules will also apply to the pet cemetery.
The prices for Brighton residents could be $100 for burial site, $50 for perpetual care to the plot and $25 for opening and closing, nonresidents would pay more.
Brighton’s cemetery staff also stated that all Brighton Police Department and Adams County K9 officers would be offered a free burial space.The proposal will be considered by the council at the April 29 meeting.