Praise for ‘progressive policies’ for end of life

MARTIN WILLIAMS

whose children are dying, inadequate and badly reformed bereavement benefits and what it described as “growing funeral poverty”. It suggests public policies on death have evolved “piecemeal over decades and in silos”, leading to “significant variance in the quality and quantity of policy and guidance available throughout the country”.

The report suggests taking tips from Scotland, which it says is” leading the way by setting ambitious end of life care targets” that includes universal palliative care by 2021.

Lead author, Dr Kate Woodthorpe, senior lecturer in sociology from the Centre for Death & Society at the University of Bath, said: “National and regional devolution is showing early indications that innovation and modernisation is possible, and Scotland is arguably leading the way with ambitious targets and re-organisation of key policy areas. It is up to the rest of the country as to whether they wait to see how well Scotland fairs, or whether they use this as an opportunity to review, consolidate and improve how they support dying, death and bereavement.

“One thing is for sure: people who are dying or bereaved need and deserve public policy and services that are transparent and simple to access.

“At such a time in life, individuals and their families should not be subject to extra burdens as a result of inadequate policy, legislative and policy vacuums, incoherence, poor planning and so on.

“We know the death rate in the UK is going to rise, and we know this means more people will be facing their own and others’ deaths. As a matter of public interest, death can no longer be neglected as a policy issue.”

The report, in pointing to Scotland’s progressive policies highlights Holyrood’s plan to provide more help with funeral costs and a national assistance scheme. The Scottish Government unveiled a 10-point plan in August to improve support, including a new benefit and the funeral expense assistance, to be launched by summer 2019.

It came as the cost of burials and cremations has been on the rise. In 2016 a basic burial, on average, cost more than £1,300, excluding undertakers fees, while the average local authority cremation cost £670.

The report also acclaims the appointment

The report detailed a lack of palliative care and support for families. of Scotland’s first Inspector of Funeral Directors in April to maintain standards and to conduct a review of the funeral profession during her two-year term. The role was created following the so-called “baby ashes” scandal at crematoria.

Dr Woodthorpe added: “For too long we have been complacent about death’s social and economic consequences, and our policy responses. Government can no longer ignore the many challenges outlined in this brief. We are seeing growing signs current systems are not sustainable and given the predicted rise in the death rate, need to act.”