02-1: Cemetery Operations Presentation — original pdf

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Cemetery Operations Austin Parks & Recreation | November 24, 2025 Municipal Legacy Cemetery Operations represents one of the City’s earliest public services and longest-running municipal responsibilities. This historic foundation underscores the City’s long-standing commitment to dignified, quality service, and accountable customer service and management. Key Milestones: 1839: Oakwood Cemetery Established 1872 – 1915: Stanley Nolen, Longview, Plummers, and Oakwood Annex established 1926: Evergreen Cemetery Established 1927: Austin Memorial Park Cemetery Established Today: 7 cemeteries spanning approximately 200 acres; 80,000+ burials and monuments 2 History of Contractual Operations 1986: Public Works ends management; PARD assumes responsibility 1990 – 2013: InterCare Inc. manages all aspects of cemetery operations. This shift in responsibilities limited City control over interments and operational consistency to oversight. 2013 – 2025: resumed administrative duties; PARD begins rebuilding internal capacity. September 25, 2025: City of Austin assumes full responsibility for all aspects of management at city cemeteries including all interment and burial services. 3 Interment and Burial Training Model 1. Observation and SOP Development ▪ Staff Observed Contractor Processes ▪ City SOPs drafted and standardized 2. Collaborative Training with Contractor (ISI) ▪ Hands-on practice with contractor oversight 3. Cemetery Operations assumes Cremains Burials ▪ Full internal execution at all municipal cemeteries 4. Final Joint Training Sessions ▪ Continued skill validation through November 2025 ▪ For more than three decades, interment operations were outsourced, limiting the City’s ability to provide consistent service, accountability, and transparency. The return to full municipal operations is the result of a deliberate, multi-year rebuilding process with an emphasis on training, safety, precision, accountability, and operational consistency – ensuring a seamless transition to in-house services. 4 Final Preparations & Investments ▪ Staffing Enhancements ▪ Equipment Procurement ▪ Operational Readiness & Service Delivery ▪ Strong Industry Partnerships ▪ Responsive & Reliable Operations ▪ Vision for the Future ▪ The investments and strong partnerships with industry and community stakeholders will help to modernize and ensure full operational capability at all municipal cemeteries for future generations. Cemetery Operations is fully prepared – operationally, logistically, and professionally – to deliver dignified services fully. Our goal is not only to replace the contractor model – but to exceed it in quality, accountability, and public trust. 5 Questions & Comments