Improvements are coming to cemeteries in Carrboro, following Town Council action taken on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023.
The Town owns and maintains two public cemeteries, the Old Carrboro Cemetery at 110 Old Cemetery Road and Westwood Cemetery at 401 Davie Road.
Improvements approved by the Town Council will feature new fencing at the Old Carrboro Cemetery to be implemented soon. A rain garden for controlling drainage and erosion, tree plantings, and new benches, planters and decorative lighting are slated for the Westwood Cemetery, pending approval of the FY24 Budget. The improvements are estimated to cost $135,000.
The Town Council requested that a work session be scheduled to discuss future plans for Carrboro cemeteries.
The Council may also revisit a concept plan for the Westwood Cemetery that includes designated areas for green burials, a memorial garden, walking paths, and options for cremains including columbarium walls, an ossuary, and a scattering garden. Westwood Cemetery is divided into sections with approximately half of the space currently undeveloped and unplotted. Green burials are not permitted in the Westwood Cemetery.
As of January 2022, the Old Carrboro Cemetery has sold out of plots. In October 2018, the Town began selling plots in the Old Carrboro Cemetery designated for green or natural burials. Since then, approximately half of the burials have been green burials with the demand increasing considerably in 2021. The Old Carrboro Cemetery dates to 1910.
The Westwood Cemetery has been an active public cemetery since 1933. As of January 1, 2023, Westwood had 102 plots left for purchase and is expected to sell out within the next couple years at the current rate of sales. Neighboring municipalities have sold out of traditional burial plots.
Learn more about the cemeteries in Carrboro at https://www.carrboronc.gov/2245/Cemetery-Management
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