Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Council prepares to scrap burial fees for children
PERTH and Kinross Council is preparing to scrap burial fees for children under 18.
The bold move comes as local authorities across Scotland face mounting pressure to end controversial bereavement costs, after Prime Minister Theresa May announced the practice would stop across England.
Perth and Kinross is one of nine councils which still charges grieving families for the burials and cremations of younger loved ones.
At the moment, the cost for a child between the ages of two and 15 can be up to £144, rising to £918 for people 16 and over.
If approved, council bosses in Perth will be among the first in the country to waive fees for youngsters under the age of 18.
Dundee is the most expensive, with the burial of a child between the ages of two and 11 costing up to £408, with the price rising to £827 for children over the age of 12.
In Angus, there is no charge for under-15s and no immediate plans for any changes.
Fife doesn’t charge for the burial or cremation of anyone under 16.
A council spokeswoman said: “The move is intended to support families at a difficult time in their lives and will be implemented immediately if the environment and infrastructure committee gives its go-ahead.”
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “We are already actively considering ways to further support families in Scotland suffering the bereavement of a child.”