ONE foot in the grave could be as far as you get by the time the Grim Reaper knocks at your door.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Shellharbour City Council will look into the viability of a new cemetery for the region.
Councillor Kellie Marsh called on council to prepare a report on land options for a new city cemetery. Cr Marsh said she was concerned about burial plot capacity and costs.
"This report is to find out how long we have got left with our cemeteries," Cr Marsh said. "There are no more burial plots at Shellharbour, the only option is at Albion Park.
"A burial plot is around $2000, which is a lot for a pensioner. So, I want council to come up with a detailed payment plan and encourage people to prepay."
A council staff member said there were 24 years of burial plot capacity at Shellharbour Cemetery for pre-purchased only and Albion Park cemetery had capacity of 119 years.
Cr Moran said given the inevitability of death, council should assess the circumstances around end of life options for residents.
"There are about 70,000 people in Shellharbour and presumably in 119 years' time every single one of those people will be dead," Cr Moran said.
"If only a third are actually buried, then there will be more than 23,000 burials."