IRON MOUNTAIN — Green burials are now possible at Iron Mountain’s Cemetery Park, where a site in the southeast corner can accommodate up to 56 spaces and has room to expand to the south if needed.

Green burials have been available at Park Cemetery in Marquette for more than two years with only a modest response, Iron Mountain City Manager Jordan Stanchina said. With that in mind, the new site west of Jackson Street might serve for years to come, he told the city council Monday.

The Iron Mountain cemetery has about 130 traditional burials each year.

The council Monday approved regulations and fees for green burials, largely based on the practices in Marquette. Burial arrangements must be coordinated through a licensed funeral director.

City employees will be responsible for all digging operations and for lowering the deceased into the grave. Fees will be slightly higher, mainly due to scheduling inconveniences unique to the practice, including shorter notice.

A green burial avoids the use of embalming chemicals. The body is either wrapped in a biodegradable shroud or placed in a casket of biodegradable materials. No markers will be allowed at the grave site and internments will be done using the next available grave space.

At the cost of the family, the city may place a sign or monument outside the plat to note the name and location of interred individuals.

Cost for a single grave purchase for residents will be $630, with the cost for weekday grave openings set at $1,320. There is an additional charge of $800 for after-hours or weekend grave openings.

For a weekday burial, the total cost of $1,950 for a resident is $250 higher than the cost for a traditional burial. For a non-resident, the total cost for a weekday green burial is $2,615, or $50 more than a traditional burial.

In other action Monday, the city council —

— Adopted resolutions recognizing Lt. Michael Weslin and Lt. Jeffrey Bortolini of the police department for their years of service on the Critical Incident Response Team. Officers Corey Johnson and Benjamin Hellman are now serving on CIRT, which also includes representatives from Kingsford Public Safety Department, Norway Police Department and Dickinson County Sheriff Department. Weslin, who served 21 years on CIRT, and Bortolini, who served 15 years, were saluted for exhibiting “selfless interest and concern” for the community in responding to many high-risk incidents.

— Presented a resolution to Mayor Pro Tem William Revord, who has served eight years on the council. Revord did not seek re-election this year in Ward 2, where David A. Farragh is the only candidate on today’s ballot. Revord “epitomized the virtues of dedicated public service” during his tenure, the resolution states. “I appreciate the people giving me a chance to serve,” Revord said.

— Noted the compost site behind the public works building will be closed beginning Wednesday. Leaf collections will continue as long as weather permits, as Stanchina noted many trees in the region that yet to shed leaves. Updates will be provided on the city’s Facebook page, which has a link posted at https://www.cityofironmountain.com/.