The rising cost of dying

THE cost of dying is increasing – and Warrington has been ranked fourth in a “league table” of the most costly places to die in the North West.
The cost of dying is so high that “someone” is making a lot of money out of people’s bereavement, according to the GMB union.
Paul McCarthy, GMB regional secretary said: “At a time when the cost of living occupies most people’s concerns it will be a real shock to many living in the North West that the cost of dying is so high.
“While GMB realises that the public are not queuing up to test the services it remains a fact that few have any idea of how much even a simple burial or cremation actually costs.
“When council charges are included the average funeral costs are £3,284 and the total costs average over £7,000 according to some surveys.
“Someone is making a lot of money out of people’s bereavement.”
Top of the regional league table for costly bereavement is Manchester, where the city council charge £1,910 for a burial and £2,012.25 for a cremation for residents who die and are interred in the area.
Warrington is ranked fourth, behind Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester.
The borough council charges £1,783 for a burial and £1,292 for a cremation, according to GMB.
Lowest cost funerals in the North West are at Ribble Valley, where burials cost £610 and cremations £180.
These charges are major items in The Sun Life Direct Cost of Dying Survey.
The 2012 edition states that average funeral costs are £3,284. If all the services are included, for example, funeral director’s costs, doctor’s fees for certification, flowers, limousines and catering for the wake then the total average is £7,114.