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A cemetery in England has sparked outrage by introducing a fee for visits outside of normal operating hours. The Garden of Remembrance, which describes itself as a "unique independently owned cemetery," will require a one-off VIP pass for visits after 3 PM on weekdays, on weekends, or holidays, or when the office is closed. The VIP pass costs a little more than six dollars to visit a grave or cremation plot and just over $12 per person to visit the rose garden. The new pricing system is set to come into effect in January 2025.
The cemetery has installed electric gates to enforce the new policy, preventing anyone without a VIP pass from accessing the grounds outside of the free access hours, which are from 9 AM to 3 PM, Monday to Friday.
The decision has been met with strong criticism from locals whose friends and family are buried in the cemetery. Jode Bourne, whose father Mark is buried there, told the Stoke Sentinel, "Now I need to pay a membership fee to visit my dad’s grave. This is an absolute disgrace. Shame on you, Garden of Remembrance."
However, cemetery owner Jason Taft defended the decision, stating that the new security measures are not to keep out those who haven't paid for VIP access but to protect those visiting their deceased loved ones from potential break-ins. He also mentioned that he has given 90 free passes to his most vulnerable customers.