‘Budget’ funeral service launched

A NEW not-for-profit funeral service has been launched in Glasgow to help curb costs for families.

The average cost of a funeral in Glasgow is more than £3000 which many people struggle to afford and end up in debt.

A family bereavement led to Paul McColgan setting up the service with the backing of charity Community Renewal Trust.

He started Caledonian Cremation, which opened this week, to provide a one price funeral service which is affordable to bereaved families.

Mr McColgan said: “Sadly I have first-hand experience of the strain that this can place on a family, when my brother-in-law died suddenly in his 20s.

“Like many young families there was no provision for such an unexpected event but fortunately other family members were able to support the funeral costs.

“It highlighted to me the terrible financial burden arranging a funeral can place on many families, particularly younger families and that something needed to be done.”

The firm offers direct cremations with no service at the crematorium, allowing families to arrange another, more personal venue for a memorial or celebration of their life.

The family or loved ones can decide if they would like the ashes to be scattered, or returned to them.

Mr McColgan added: “To keep costs lower we don’t have a fleet of hearses and limousines. These days there is no need for top hats or canes.

“We are simply committed to offering one cost, and never to upsell. We offer the same dignified service to every single person. Equal for everyone, it is not a question of rich or poor.”

Social Investment Scotland provided start-up funding for the venture

Alastair Davis, chief executive officer, said: “Social enterprises in Scotland have a fantastic track record of creating innovative solutions to some of society’s greatest challenges, and the issue of funeral poverty is one of the most pressing issues many households are facing.

“We have been delighted to be able to provide financial support to this new social enterprise to support their launch costs.”

FORMER World Cup snowboarder Ben Kilner, left, shows he’s still got some top tricks in his locker as he visited Snow Factor Braehead. Young snowboarder Thomas Dunn, 13, from Cambuslang, who hopes to compete in future Olympics watched on as Ben, from...

Ian Kirk, John Halliday and Paul McColgan of Caledonian Cremation