Bodies unclaimed with growth of ‘funeral poverty’

A BODY has lain unclaimed at a Glasgow morgue for 6 1 days.

Greater Glasgow has 25 unclaimed bodies in its mortuaries, aged between 20 and 0-plus, amid fears that ‘funeral poverty’ is on the increase.

Of the six women and 19 men, eight have been identified but have not been buried, due to either ‘family disputes or cost’. Figures obtained by BBC Scotland show three bodies have been in the mortuary for more than a year – one of them for 6 1 days. Bodies are considered unclaimed if no funeral director or next of kin has been in touch after three weeks.

The revelation comes as it emerged the basic cost of a burial in Scotland has risen on average by 5 per cent since 2010. Citizens’ Advice Scotland says 10 per cent of families now struggle to pay the bill.

The average cost of a funeral in Scotland is £3,600, and a report last year estimated that the average debt being taken on was £1,680.

Jim Brodie, of the Scottish Association of Independent Funeral Directors, said council charges for interment and cremations were ‘immoral’. He said: ‘When a burial can cost nearly as much as an entire funeral, it seems a little bit strange.’

Cosla, representing Scotland’s councils, said fees were for ‘local determination based on need and circumstance’. Communities Secretary Angela Constance said the Scottish Government was determined to tackle funeral poverty, adding: ‘Next year we’ll introduce the new funeral expenses payment.’