Antrim and Newtownabbey councillors have agreed to increase burial and cremation charges.
The council’s Operations Committee approved the rise for the next financial year, at a meeting at Antrim Civic Centre, on Monday evening.
A new levy of £200 for burials in the borough at weekends and bank holidays will be introduced.
A report presented to the committee said the council’s resident cremation rate is the second lowest in the UK. Almost 1,000 cremations have taken place during the first 12 months at the £6m council-owned crematorium which opened at Doagh Road, Newtownabbey, in June 2023.
A pricing review also noted “significant increases in costs, particularly for staff and utilities”. It is estimated the income generated from the proposed price rises would be £205,000.
The cost of cremations will increase from £550 to £650 for residents and from £950 to £1,000 for non-residents.
Last month, the Operations Committee was reminded there are no new plots available at Carnmoney Cemetery in Newtownabbey and Ballyclare Cemetery will reach capacity in just over five years with 100 plots sold per year.
Meanwhile, Rashee Cemetery, in Ballyclare, has a burial capacity of 35 years, Crumlin, 27 years and Sixmile, Antrim, 26 years.
In Carnmoney’s garden of remembrance for burial of ashes, there is capacity for just another year.
Meanwhile, just two plots have been sold in Ballyclare’s garden of remembrance and none in Mallusk.