UUP woman praises move to halt child burial fees
AN Ulster Unionist councillor whose son died aged just two has welcomed the news that Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon (ABC) Council has stopped charging fees for the burial of children.
Julie Flaherty said it had been “a very bittersweet week”.
“I am over the moon that it has been able to move through the process so smoothly, but as you can imagine, it has been quite difficult too,” the Portadown councillor said.
“This week, our son Jake would have been turning seven years of age. It is also five years since we lost him from our family.
“The announcement from the council this week marks the beginning of movement here in Northern Ireland to begin the conversation about Funeral Poverty and the challenges families face at a difficult time in their lives.
“This, of course, is only the first step. I have been assured by the Permanent Secretary, Leo O’Reilly, that this will be brought to the attention of any incoming Minister in a future Executive. I shall wait patiently until the day comes that I can knock his or her door.”