Councils face crackdown on soaring cost of funerals

A CRACKDOWN on funeral costs is to force councils to stop imposing increases in fees on grieving families.

The Scottish Government yesterday pledged to intervene to bring an end to soaring costs.

It said it would publish ‘statutory guidance’ on fees to which local authorities and funeral directors will have to adhere. The measure was part of a ten-point plan published yesterday to tackle the problem.

Last September, a study by Citizens Advice Scotland found that burial fees soared by 8 per cent in a year, to an average of £1,363.

Equalities Minister Angela Constance said people ending up in debt because of funeral costs was a ‘growing issue’ and pledged to bring in a new benefit to help struggling families by the summer of 2019.

Her new Funeral Costs Plan document also pledged action to tackle rising fees.

It said: ‘Funeral costs have increased significantly over the past decade and we want to work with local authorities, the funeral industry and others with

‘Statutory guidance’

an interest to prepare statutory guidance on these costs.’

The Scottish Government has cited industry figures which suggest that a basic funeral in Scotland cost £3,716 last year, including an average of £1,363 for a burial charge and £669 for a cremation charge. Since 2004, funeral costs have increased by 91 per cent in Scotland.

One of the Government’s key concerns is that some families report being unaware of the costs associated with funerals until they receive their bill.

However, the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) and the National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF) both require member firms to pro- vide a written estimate of costs. The Scottish Government could now make a written estimate a mandatory requirement.

It could also attempt to stop local authorities from aboveinflation increases in fees.

A new Funeral Expense Assistance is expected to be introduced by September 2019.

Currently, around 4,000 people a year in Scotland are awarded a funeral payment by the Department For Work and Pensions – representing around 7 per cent of all funerals. The Government is to encourage more people to apply for the benefit – and will also consider whether to widen the eligibility criteria.

Derek Young of Age Scotland said: ‘People should be helped to manage these expenses without incurring substantial and unexpected debts.’

A spokesman for council umbrella group Cosla said: ‘The bottom line is that fees and charges for any of our services are a matter for local determination.’

NAFD chief executive Mandie Lavin said: ‘We urge the Scottish Government to sit down with Cosla and find a way forward so that council costs are kept to reasonable levels. We are working hard to help people understand the costs involved.’

Miss Constance said: ‘We know funeral costs can push people into poverty. That is why we are taking decisive action to tackle this growing issue.’