Rising funeral costs among highest in area
FUNERAL costs in Rochdale are to rise to among the highest in the region.
Council chiefs approved plans to increase cremation fees by 15 per cent and burial fees by 5pc at a cabinet meeting on Monday night.
It will mean from next year charges for burying a loved one, including the cost of a new grave and marker, will jump by £107.55 to £2,262.75 - the highest in the region bar Trafford - while cremation fees will rise by £93 to £716, also currently the second highest in Greater Manchester, although other councils may follow Rochdale’s lead and hike their prices.
The increases come as the council continues to seek ways to set a balanced budget for the 2017/18 financial year.
A proposed increase of 2pc in fees and charges for ‘discretionary services’ in 2017/18 was agreed in July this year.
But the council says it has been forced to raise this to 5pc due to the ‘severity’ of the £38.8m savings it is being asked to make over the next two financial years - £30.4m of which must be made in 2017/18.
Coun Ashley Dearnley, leader of the Rochdale’s Conservative group, said he was broadly in support of the proposals.
He said: “I understand we have got a financial problem and we have got to decide on charging more or cutting back on services.
“These issues have been out to consultation.
“Also, regarding the crematorium, we have improved the facilities at the back and we want to do more to make it even better.
“It’s a judgement between cuts and charging more for services - and keeping council tax down.
“Personally I would accept the increases, albeit they might be a bit high and we need to be careful they’re not significantly more than other authorities.
“But the service provided is very important and if it’s a good service and good facilities I think that, in the main, residents would support an increase in charges.”
Council leader Richard Farnell said: “Thanks to seven years of severe cuts to the council’s budget by central government, we are faced with difficult choices about how we can raise the necessary income to help us maintain the vital services we provide to the community.
“As with all councils, we are looking at a small increase in discretionary fees and charges as a way to both cover increasing costs and help us meet our obligations.
“There is support available for people on low incomes to help cover funeral costs.”