‘Pauper’s funerals’ on the rise

NORTH Wales councils have spent more than £152,000 on so-called “pauper’s funerals” since the 2008 banking crash, figures have revealed.

In that time there were at least 134 public health funerals carried out by local authorities for people who couldn’t afford them.

Full statistics were not available for all North Wales councils covering that period, meaning the full numbers and costs are likely to be far higher.

Gemma Driscoll, of the National Society of Allied Independent Funeral Directors in Wales, warned of a rise in “funeral poverty”, with more people struggling to afford a proper send off for their loved ones.

She said a Government review of how people who struggle to afford funerals are supported financially was long overdue – a basic funeral can cost around £2,000-£3,000 in Wales.

Conwy had by the far the highest number of “pauper’s funerals” with 56 at a cost of £65,745.

Wrexham had 28, but there were only cost figures available for between 2009 and 2014, where there were 17 totalling £25,272.

Between 2008-16 Flintshire had 27, costing £33,395, but the local authority recovered £24,467 of the costs. Anglesey had eight in that time, but there were only cost figures for between 2009-14, where there were two held costing £2,158. Gwynedd held 13 between 2013-16 costing £15,290, and Denbighshire held 18 from 2009-14 at £19,421.

Ms Driscoll added assistance for people hasn’t increased since 2003.