Call for review of shared graves for ‘paupers’ funerals’

The use of unmarked shared graves for the poorest in Dundee and Angus should be reviewed, and is not a sign of a “civilised society”, a city councillor has claimed.

The two councils currently lay one coffin on top of another in three-tiered graves when an individual or their family do not provide funds after death.

Both insist the practice is dignified, although family and friends are barred from laying tributes or flowers.

The higher cost of carrying out a cremation is believed to be one of the driving factors in shared grave use.

Dundee in particular has one of the highest cremation costs in Scotland.

Broughty Ferry councillor Craig Duncan said he would like to see public health funeral practices change.

He said: “The bottom line is, I don’t care who you are, you ought to be able to live your life with a measure of respect and depart this earth with dignity too.

“I think that’s the mark of a civilised society.

“On that basis, there probably is a basis for reviewing these procedures.”

Local authorities across the UK must legally provide the interments, sometimes dubbed “paupers’ funerals”.

The no-frills service does not include flowers, viewings, obituaries or transport for family members.

They are becoming more common throughout the UK due to a surge in funeral costs.

Dundee is regularly ranked the most expensive place in Scotland for both burials and cremations.

Perth and Kinross council carry out the most public burials in Scotland, meaning it also spends the most.

Most councils across Scotland now choose to cremate remains instead of using the once-common practice of sharing plots.

Fife Council opts to use cremation unless it is believed that the deceased would have wanted a burial.

It is only in this case that the authority would use a “communal” grave.

Perth and Kinross Council also primarily uses cremation.

It buries individuals in a “common lair” at Scone Cemetery but only if requested.

Mr Duncan said: “If you go to Dundee’s Eastern Cemetery, Barnhill or Balgay, you can see these monuments that must have cost an absolute fortune for the wealthy.

“And then you have these areas where there are graves with no marker of any description.

“It is sad.” Dundee City Council has contract with a local funeral director which is tendered every three years.

The current contract commenced in October 2018, with the burial cost set at £720, and cremations £1,400.

It would only carry out a cremation for reasons of religion or belief. All funerals in the last five years have been burials.

Angus Council follows the same policy. It insists the policy is respectful and loved ones are looked after following death.

A spokesperson said: “Although it may be shared with strangers, a public burial is not undignified.

“We take the same care with public health funerals as we do with all funerals.

A Dundee City Council spokesperson said: “The council has statutory responsibilities for National Assistance Funerals.

“We ensure these funerals are carried out in a respectful and dignified manner.”

REVIEW CALL: Mr Duncan wants to see a change to the way so-called paupers’ funerals are carried out.