Child burial fees axed in England

CHILD burial fees are to be waived by the Government following a campaign spearheaded by an MP who needed a loan to bury her eight-year-old son after he was killed in a car accident.

Carolyn Harris, who represents Swansea East at Westminster, had called on the Government to cover the costs of burials and cremations to help parents struggling to pay.

The Prime Minister has now announced the establishment of a Children’s Funeral Fund which will pay for the costs of the burials and bring England in line with Wales.

Ms Harris said: “I celebrated last year when the Welsh Government gave me the Children’s Funeral Fund, I’ve celebrated when every local authority right across this country has done this.

“But at last after so much pressure and so much time, families… can know that if they’re ever in that terrible, terrible position when they lose a child, that there will now be a pot of money available to make sure that child has a dignified and respectful funeral.”

Ms Harris has campaigned on the issue since Martin, her eight-year-old son, was killed in 1989.

Theresa May hailed the “dignity and strength” of Ms Harris, adding: “In the darkest moment of any parent’s life there is little light, but there can be support. That is why I have asked for the Children’s Funeral Fund to be set up.”