Your view on cost of dying

Bereavement Service could cover its own costs in other ways.

Clr Graham Turner, joint cabinet member for corporate services, said: “Like all councils, Kirklees is facing significant financial challenges and is looking at services where the cost of delivery is higher than the amount we charge.

“The burial services currently operate at a loss and we need to ensure the costs are covered.

“Our current proposals take us to a full cost recovery model in five years, including any equipment and future maintenance costs.

“We would like people’s views on that proposal or their suggestions as to how we can reduce the running costs so charges can stay low.”

The council has produced a chart showing that all of its neighbouring authorities already have out-of-hours surcharges. But the chart also reveals Calderdale, Bradford, Barnsley and Oldham already do adult burials at a lower cost than Kirklees.

Clr Musarrat Khan, joint cabinet member for corporate services, added: “Our webpage details the costs for neighbouring councils to allow people to make an informed decision on the right level of cost.

“Where groups are affected, we would like them to discuss that with us.”

Bereavement Services provide around 3,000 cremations, 500 full burials and 130 burials of ashes each year. Cremations cover their own costs and so are not subsidised from other funds, however burial services currently lose money.

Of the 500 burials each year, 15% are performed out of standard hours, and 25% are child burials – including pre-term babies.

Kirklees Council maintains 14 cemeteries across the district, seven of them now closed to new burials.

The consultation will run until Friday, December 8. A selection of people who have made suggestions will be invited to a meeting to discuss their ideas further.

Email bereavement.engagement@kirklees.gov.uk to take part.

Information: www.kirklees.gov. uk/bereavementengagement