Waukesha Cemetery Commission Meeting - August 10, 2026

The Cemetery Commission of the City of Waukesha met on Monday, August 10, 2026, at 5:30 PM in the City Hall Training Room, 201 Delafield Street, Waukesha, WI. The commission approved the boulevard cremation garden concept plan, reviewed the 2027-2031 Community Investment Program (CIP) budget submission, changed the December meeting date to avoid conflict with a special election, and received operational reports from staff and the Friends of Prairie Home Cemetery. The meeting adjourned at 6:00 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of the June 8, 2026 Cemetery Commission meeting were approved unanimously. Motion by Alderman Camacho, seconded by Terry.

Discussion Items

• Boulevard Cremation Garden Concept Plan: Cemetery Director Karen presented a concept plan for a new cremation garden along the boulevard in the south-central area of the cemetery. The plan was prepared at no cost by a potential vendor. The garden would be phased: Phase 1 adds a columbarium north of the existing ones and walkways on the east side; Phase 2 adds 5–6 niche columbaria to the south, screening a utility area; Phase 3 develops the north end. The director cited strong demand for cremation placement, noting that columbaria are selling rapidly: the south-side unit is about 82% sold and the north-side unit approximately 96–98% sold since being added in October 2024. A commissioner questioned the concept, noting personal experience with cremated remains kept at home, and asked about cost comparisons; the discussion was general, with no definitive cost figures provided. The commission approved the concept plan unanimously (motion by Alderman Camacho, seconded by Ed).
• 2027–2031 CIP Budget Review: Karen reviewed the cemetery's submitted CIP requests: street lighting ($65,000), electrical improvements to the chapel and shop, exterior wood restoration for the chapel, the Phase 1 cremation garden elements (new columbarium and walkways), Autumn Garden Complex caulking/tuckpointing (2028), a potential new maintenance building (2031), a stand-on leaf vacuum, a cement mixer (urgent, beginning 2027), and a pickup truck replacement via trade-in with another department. The commission took no formal action on the CIP list.
• December Meeting Date Change: The commission voted unanimously to move the December meeting from Monday, December 14, 2026, to Wednesday, December 16, 2026, because the training room will be used for preparations for the December 15 special election for County Executive.

Reports

• Cemetery Director's Report: Karen noted an updated roster (Amanda as president, Mike as vice president). She read an email from Alderman Christine about an Eagle Scout project (Troop 159) that will repair and restain the arbor in preparation for the veterans tribute garden, to be installed this fall and funded by the Friends of Prairie Home Cemetery. Service statistics: 57% of services so far in 2026 were cremation, compared to 58% for all of 2025 and 50% in 2024. According to the Cremation Association of North America, the national cremation rate is currently 62.8%, projected to reach 69.1% by 2030. Natural burial services were 8% of services through July, but pre-need sales are approaching 40%. The current natural burial section has about 192 of 560 full-size graves available, enough for 2–3 years of sales; the next phase would be a 1.6-acre prairie area to the east. A prairie burn is planned for fall. Capital projects: chapel tuckpointing complete, security cameras to be installed by end of August, Autumn Garden caulking phase one complete, and roofing project to begin late summer/fall. The cemetery will participate in Waukesha Unlocked on October 10–11 with wagon and guided tours from 10 AM to 4 PM.
• Friends of Prairie Home Cemetery President's Report: A representative (Terry) reported that the veterans tribute garden is on track for installation before Waukesha Unlocked, thanks to donations, the Tombstone Trot, and fundraisers at Culver's and Taco John's. The third annual Tombstone Trot is scheduled for Sunday, October 18, 2026. A question was raised about appointing another Friends member to the Cemetery Commission; the chair noted that appointment is the mayor's prerogative.
• Cemetery Commission President's Report & Alderman's Report: No formal reports were given.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the boulevard cremation garden concept plan unanimously.
• Approved changing the December meeting to Wednesday, December 16, 2026, unanimously.
• Approved the June 8, 2026, minutes unanimously.
• Set the next meeting for Monday, October 12, 2026, at 5:30 PM in the City Hall Training Room.
• Adjourned at 6:00 PM.