Burial charges approved

SLC agreed the new proposals

Councillors have agreed plans to remove burial and cremation charges for young people aged up to 18.

At the moment, there are no charges for child burial or cremations for under-16s.

However, South Lanarkshire councillors met earlier this month to extend the policy.

They also agreed that a respectful funeral package be developed and submitted to a future meeting of the committee for approval.

The scheme would take the form of funeral directors providing an affordable basic package that covers the minimum requirements at an agreed price whilst maintaining the key component that the bereavement process is carried out in a dignified and respectful manner.

A report to the Community and Enterprise Resources Committee stated: “The council’s bereavement services currently do not charge for child burial or cremations for under-16s (0 to 15 years) and have not charged since 2008.

“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.”

And the report goes on: “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 from September 1, 2018.”

Councillors were told that the Scottish Government has indicated an intention to provide financial support to local authorities.

It is likely this funding will be based on actual and forecast numbers of child deaths and the costs of burials and cremations.

The authority’s allocation has still to be confirmed.