Council approves procedures for city cemetery
HEIDI DESCH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years, 2 months AGO
DEPUTY EDITOR, FEATURES Heidi Desch is the Deputy Editor at the Daily Inter Lake, overseeing coverage of arts, culture, lifestyle, community, and business. Desch leads reporters in developing stories that highlight the people, traditions, and events shaping Northwest Montana, guiding content across print and digital platforms. With more than 20 years of journalism experience, including serving as managing editor of the Whitefish Pilot, Desch is a graduate of the University of Montana School of Journalism. She has received multiple Montana Newspaper Association awards, including part of the team leading the Daily Inter Lake to Best Daily Newspaper in Montana Award and the General Excellence Award in 2024 and 2025. IMPACT: Heidi’s work connects readers with stories that deepen the understanding of the community beyond daily news. | April 14, 2021 1:00 AM
Whitefish City Council has approved a resolution creating a policy for operations at the Whitefish City Cemetery.
The City Clerk’s office manages the ownership and records for the cemetery and contracts with Whitefish Lake Golf Course to maintain the grounds.
City Clerk Michelle Howke said the policy will provide consistency between the city and the grounds crew allowing staff to maintain the integrity and beauty of the cemetery whale allowing for the expression of respect and grief.
“Regulations are necessary to operate and maintain a cemetery that is beautiful, dignified and an appropriate final resting place,” she said.
Howke said the policies are similar to what other cemeteries have in place.
As part of the policy, the purchase and resale of any unused grave or columbarium niche must take place through the city with third party sales prohibited. The city will repurchase any unused location for the original purchase price.
Howke says this policy helps the city maintain its records.
In terms of beautification, planting of any flowers, trees or shrubs must receive written permission from the city.
Artificial flowers or decorations may be placed on cemetery grounds during the months of April through October. For Memorial Day, artificial flowers must be removed within seven days after the official Memorial Day holiday.
Maintenance and cleaning of a memorial/monument is the responsibility of the lot owner.
The policy document also sets size and standards for all memorial/monuments.
The city cemetery was established in 1917 when the site was purchased from the Whitefish Land Company for $675.
The cemetery was annexed into the city in 1979. The cemetery includes about 2,760 burial plots and in 2014 a columbarium niche wall was added to provide 40 niches for cremated remains.
Council also:
• Approved a request by Matthew and Judy Lanning for a conditional use permit to construct an accessory apartment at 19 Washington Ave.
• Approved a request by Joanna Chung for a conditional use permit to construct an accessory apartment 243 Dakota Ave.
ARTICLES BY HEIDI DESCH
Whitefish City Council set to approve draft budget
Whitefish City Council on Monday is poised to approve a $63.4 million preliminary budget for fiscal year 2027.
Whitefish considers annexation for land on south entrance
Whitefish City Council on Monday will decide whether to annex about 18 acres of land on the south entrance of the city.
Senior Spotlight: Glacier High School student looks to use science to help others
Knowing she wanted to help others, there was a time when Anitha Ravipati considered pursuing a career as a medical doctor. But applying her science acumen during an internship last summer opened the possibility of assisting through research.