Child burial charges proposal accepted

Proposals to increase the age restriction for council charges for child burials and cremations to those up to 18 have been approved.

South Lanarkshire Council’s bereavement services have not charged for child burial or cremations for Under-16s since 2008.

But members of the community and enterprise resources committee approved plans to extend the age limit to 18 and under from September 1.

The council, however, do charge for the purchase of a new lair and this will continue to be the case.

In May of this year, COSLA leaders agreed in principle that all child burial and cremation charges should be removed and that local authorities and the Scottish Government should work in partnership to achieve this.

The report to councillors states:“The purpose of this was to ensure parents experiencing extremely difficult circumstances after the loss of a child did not face the additional financial burden of cremation or burial costs.

“The council’s bereavement services currently do not charge for child burial or cremations for Under-16s.

“The service does, however, charge for the purchase of a new lair when this is required as this would normally be used for a further two burials and a number of internment of cremated remains (ashes) and it is not proposed to amend this arrangement at this time.

“There are also already arrangements in place for pregnancy loss with Lanarkshire health board, where cremations are already provided to parents at no charge.

“Based on the COLSA announcement, it is considered appropriate to propose that South Lanarkshire Council adjust the current age restrictions on charges for child burial internments and cremation and extend them to cover children aged 18 and under.”

The report adds that the Scottish Government has said it intends to provide financial support to local authorities based on actual and forecast numbers of child deaths, and the costs of burials and cremations, but South Lanarkshire has not yet been given its funding allocation.