Never mind the cost of living, what about cost of dying?

Published on Tuesday 15 July 2008 10:28

EDINBURGH was today named the UK's most expensive place to die in the wake of a Government study of funeral costs.

Research by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) found that funeral directors in the Capital charge up to twice as much as counterparts in cities across England or Wales.

On top of that, the city council's burial and cremation fees are the highest outside London.

UK benefits minister James Plaskitt today admitted it was "not entirely clear" why the costs of a simple, dignified funeral should vary so much from one funeral director to another.

Help the Aged also said it was "surprised" by the figures and called for the Government's funeral payment scheme, which provides cash for people on benefits or tax credits, to be raised.

The DWP researched the cost of a "simple" funeral, which includes director fees, a coffin, transfer of the deceased and provision of a hearse, but not burial, cremation or embalming.

Of the areas analysed, Cardiff emerged as the cheapest, with Edinburgh the most expensive at 1600.

Including burial, the total cost rises to as much as 3200, with prices historically higher because of the price of land in the Capital. As revealed by the Evening News in March, the council recently introduced above-inflation rises for burials, which means the price of an adult interment has increased by 23 per cent in three years – from 609 to 750.

Burial costs are just 219 in East Lothian and 330 in Midlothian, and the study shows that Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, Cardiff and Hull are also cheaper. Only the rich London boroughs of Richmond upon Thames and Wandsworth charge more.

Nick Waugh, policy officer with Help the Aged in Scotland, said: "We are surprised at how expensive a simple, dignified burial is in Edinburgh.

"Although there is help available from the UK Government for people on certain benefits, it only provides up to 700 towards funeral costs and has not increased since 2003.

"We believe the UK Government's funeral payment should be raised to cover increases in funeral costs and should take account of local variations.

"It also emphasises the importance of planning ahead for your funeral and investing in a funeral plan if you can afford to."

Iain Marin, partner at one of Edinburgh's few remaining independent funeral directors – Thomas Marin on St Mary's Street – said he would charge around 1400 for a simple funeral, but queried the Government figures.

"I find it very difficult to believe that anyone can provide this service for less than 1000 anywhere in the UK," he said.

"What jacks up the cost in Edinburgh is the crematorium charge, which is among the highest in the UK, or the burial charge. Land prices in Edinburgh are among the highest in the UK."

Tory group leader Iain Whyte today called for a review of the council's prices ahead of next year's budget.

"We have to be very careful that we don't charge the estates of the deceased because of the fact there are deficits in other areas of the council," he said.

Gordon Greenhill, head of community safety at the council, said: "Burial and cremation costs in the city reflect the high land values in Edinburgh and the cost of providing a quality service.

"The fees enable the council to continue to maintain and conserve our 39 cemeteries and graveyards. In Edinburgh, we maintain grave sites in perpetuity, whereas in some authorities, it is time-limited."

Mr Plaskitt said he was "satisfied" the Government's funeral payment is a "significant contribution", even in Edinburgh.