Burial fees could be waived for war veterans
WAR veterans could have burial and cremation fees waived at their funerals.
A proposal to end the charges will be discussed by Rhondda Cynon Taff’s councillors will discuss this week, and it’s being supported by the Royal British Legion, the Armed Forces community in partnership with them, and the Ministry of Defence.
The proposal is in the names of 61 of 75 councillors sitting on the council.
In a report ahead of the meeting, the notice of motion says: “As part of the council’s commitment to support the Armed Forces community and as part of the review of fees and charges, this council will adopt the cessation of burial or cremation fees charged for the funerals of veterans and service men and women.”
Coun Craig Middle, RCT council’s Armed Forces Champion, is one of the names included on the notice of motion.
The ward representative for Tonypandy in Rhondda said: “I’m not actually putting this forward myself - but it’s a campaign supported by the Royal British Legion, the Armed Forces community in partnership with them, and the Ministry of Defence.
“As a council, we continue with our support - and hopefully it [the motion] would do that, helping veterans’ families.
“There will obviously need to be a process to determine ‘a veteran’ - because without clarification that could define someone who has served for some time or someone who’s served for one day.
“That will have to be monitored and carried out if this is voted through.”
The meeting takes place on Wednesday.