Wednesday 21 September 2011

The rising cost of funerals

Dear Departed
Grieving loved ones struggle as cost of dying soars to £7.6k
THOUSANDS of grieving relatives are struggling to pay for funerals as costs soar to more than £7,000.
Over 100,000 people now face major problems affording a loved one’s burial or cremation, says a new survey.
Half of those quizzed were staggered by the costs and some had to borrow money or sell possessions to pay for the send offs. In the past seven years the price of dying has rocketed 61%.
Relatives can expect to pay £2,720 for a cremation or £3,462 for a burial.
Administration fees, including solicitors, banks and will writers, are £2,292 and other extras, such as catering, flowers and venue hire, cost a further £1,864.
This takes the overall bill for a burial to £7,618 and £6,876 for a cremation.
Over a third of funeral directors blame the rises on escalating fuel prices and hire crematoria charges, imposed by councils hit by Government budget cuts.
The report by Sun Life Direct also said a lack of burial plots is driving up prices.
It found many leave responsibility for their funeral to family and friends.

The above article first appeared in The Daily Mirror 14/09/2011