Funeral loans
SIR – During these extraordinary times, people are under great pressure – and none more so than the thousands who are unexpectedly having to pay for the funeral of a loved one.
The funeral plays a crucial role in the grieving process. Families, many of whom have been unable to see their loved one before their death, are doing all they can to organise meaningful funerals – but, for many, the additional financial pressure is overwhelming.
According to the Office for National Statistics, since the first Covid-19 death in March, 169,500 people have died in England and Wales. Nearly 56,000 of these have been excess deaths. Research from Europe Economics, commissioned by the National Association of Funeral Directors, suggests there will be between 33,000 and 85,000 further excess deaths in the event of a second wave.
There are also growing concerns about the casualties of lockdown – the impact of rising unemployment, loneliness and financial hardship. ONS figures show that the areas with the highest death rates are also the poorest, where people are least able to pay for a funeral.
We are therefore calling on the Government to introduce an interestfree crisis funeral loan, covering funerals that have taken place during the lockdown and continuing for as long as restrictions are in place.
This loan should be available to all, without being means-tested. It could be administered through existing mechanisms such as the Bounceback Loan and Child Funeral Fund. Repaid over 12 or 24 months, it would ensure that those who have had the traumatic experience of organising a funeral at short notice do not have the additional stress of financial uncertainty. It is the right thing to do – for the sake of decency and social justice during this unprecedented period.
Carolyn Harris MP (Lab) Mark Isherwood MS (Con) Chairman, Cross Party Group for Funerals and Bereavement in the Welsh Parliament David Collingwood Director of Funerals, Co-op Funeralcare Jon Levett Chief Executive, National Association of Funeral Directors Mohamed Omer Board Member, Gardens of Peace Muslim Cemetery and six others; see telegraph.co.uk