Attempts upped to tackle funeral poverty

A shakeup on how to make funeral costs easier to understand has been published.

The consultation sets out measures that burial authorities, crematoria and funeral directors can take to make prices transparent and more understandable.

The guidance is part of Holyrood’s strategy to tackle funeral poverty.

Cabinet Secretary for Communities A i l e e n Campbell said: “The loss of a loved one can be one of the most distressing times we will face, an experience that can be made even worse for people who are struggling to pay for a funeral.

“We are committed to tackling funeral poverty in Scotland.

“This guidance is one of a series of actions set out in our Funeral Costs Plan and today’s launch marks an important step in helping people understand and plan for the costs associated with arranging a funeral.

“W h i l e w e’ re n o t responsible for the prices set by councils and businesses, we want to encourage funeral directors and burial and cremation authorities to make information more accessible.

“I would encourage anyone with an interest in this sensitive area to give us their views.”

The funeral costs guidance consultation will run for 12 weeks.

For more information visit https://www.gov.scot/ Publications