He is proposing that the city dedicate half of a 102-acre city-owned property in Meadowview to create a new public cemetery called Meadowview Memorial Park.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — When Mark Velasquez buried his 12-year-old daughter, Sammy, at Sacramento’s Odd Fellows Cemetery two years ago, he realized something few people think about until it’s too late, the city is running out of affordable public places to bury its dead.
“My daughter passed away from cancer almost two years ago, two days before her 13th birthday,” Velasquez said.
Velasquez, who is attorney and advocates for the creation of a new public cemetery district, said many families can’t afford private burials based on the average income in Sacramento. He said the city needs to plan now before the problem becomes a crisis.
“A lot of people hate the idea of death, so they won’t even talk about it,” Velasquez said. “I realized Sacramento has a very dire need and why not use her passing and her memory to spur what the city really needs going forward.”
He is proposing that the city dedicate half of a 102-acre city-owned property in Meadowview to create a new public cemetery called Meadowview Memorial Park. The other half, he said, could be used for affordable housing or recreation.
“I understand the city’s main priorities are affordable housing, senior housing, maybe some rec center,” Velasquez said. “Half the 102-acre Memorial Park would be the cemetery. The other half can be used for affordable housing or recreation.”
Velasquez said his vision goes beyond burial plots.
“What we have planned is walking spaces throughout it, sitting areas throughout it,” he said. “It’s not just a cemetery.”
The City of Sacramento said in a statement that it plans to release a public solicitation later this fall for proposals on how the Meadowview property should be developed.
“The City is preparing to release a solicitation seeking interested parties for the 102-acre Meadowview property. This open process is expected to commence later this fall. Through this process, interested parties will be able to submit their proposed vision for the 102 acres which will help the City develop a plan for the site.
The City looks forward to reviewing a range of ideas that align with community and City priorities and serve the best economic interests of the City. Once the solicitation is released, information will be available on the City’s website, and we will publicize it through our regular communication channels.”
Velasquez is calling on city leaders to initiate a municipal service review and apply to Sacramento County LAFCO, the Local Agency Formation Commission, to formally create a new public cemetery district. He warns that even if the plan moves forward, it could take up to 10 years before a new cemetery is ready.
“I wouldn’t call it sexy, no, but it’s a necessary topic,” Velasquez said. “It’s an important topic. It’s a public topic.”
He said he doesn’t want to see families forced to raise money for funerals or send loved ones out of the region because there’s no affordable option close to home.
“I remember seeing somebody on the corner, the family was having buckets at a light, asking for donations for a funeral,” Velasquez said. “It disgusted me. I never want to see that again. I don’t think any family should have to beg to be able to afford a place to bury their loved ones.”
Velasquez said the issue isn’t political, it’s about preparing for Sacramento’s future. He hopes other residents will join him in speaking up to make it happen.
“I will keep talking as long as I need to until a cemetery is created,” he said. “But I need everybody else in Sacramento to speak up.”
When asked about forming a new district, the city tells ABC10 it can’t fully comment on the proposal until it receives a formal request.
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