Tragedy of Scots facing state-funded funerals

Thousands of people in Scotland are being forced to have state-funded burial or cremation when they die “penniless”, a charity will say today.

Around 5,560 Scots were among 40,000 people in the UK given state-funded funerals in 2009-10. The Scottish total was the second highest in any area.

The figure includes 21,000 people aged over 65 who “end their days alone, penniless and in pauper’s graves”, the older people’s charity, Anchor, said.

Esther Rantzen and charity officials plan to visit 10 Downing Street today to lobby the government to appoint a minister to tackle issues affecting the elderly.

They will hand over a “Grey Pride” petition backed by 130,000 people – including One Foot In The Grave star Richard Wilson. Jane Ashcroft, the charity’s chief executive, said: “These sad figures speak for themselves. Close to 40,000 people, mostly elderly, are dying around us with no family or friends nearby to care for them every year.

“Our ageing population is growing and so is the worrying picture of isolation and loneliness across the country. This is why it is so important that older people are given a voice at the highest level. We are urging the government to appoint a minister for older people.”