Council to pay for plot costs for victims' families

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker says the Christchurch City Council will pay for both the plot and interment costs of the earthquake victims at the memorial site being developed at the Avonhead Park Cemetery. "The Council sent a letter to the families of victims before Christmas saying it would cover these costs and has now apologised saying that it had made a mistake and would only cover the interment costs and that the victims' families would have to pay the $349.60 cost for the plot. I was only made aware of this mistake today and I, too, am upset. This should never have happened," Mr Parker says. "I am extremely sorry for the distress this has caused the families and want to reassure them that the Council will meet the costs of the plots." The Christchurch Earthquake Mayoral Relief Fund has given $170,000 to contribute towards the cost of construction of the interment site at the cemetery.” Mr Parker says he is aware that around 20 people have indicated that they wish to purchase plots in the outer circle of the site to date. At this stage no actual payments have been made and I have asked staff to contact those families and inform them that no payment will now be required.” For the purposes of clarification, in the future, if the families wish to inter a close family member alongside their loved one lost in the earthquake, then that interment cost is the responsibility of the family but no further cost for the plot will be required.” "On a personal note all I can say is that I am very sorry for the misunderstanding, for which we will take full responsibility. We made a commitment to these families and we must honour that promise," Mr Parker says.