Cremation cost is set to increase
CREMATION charges in Plymouth are going up by 10 per cent to cope with rising costs.
The City Council is to raise the fees at Weston Mill and Efford from £450 to £495 in the next financial year.
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Hiring the chapel for a 30-minute service will also be more expensive, with the price rising from £36 to £50.
Cllr Michael Leaves, the council’s Cabinet member for streetscene and environmental regulation, has authorised the change.
He said the council had to maintain the highest standards for bereaved families.
“Obviously we have ongoing costs and we want to maintain high standards. We also have new environmental regulations to meet in the next couple of years.
“There is quite a lot of investment which goes into our crematoria.”
He pointed out that holders of Plymcards still get a 10 per cent discount.
Council papers point out that cremation fees are still among the lowest in Devon and Cornwall.
Bereaved families are charged £575 in Exeter and £525 in Torbay.
The council said that this year its Bereavement Service had a much bigger budget than expected, thanks to big price rises for gas and electricity and increased maintenance costs.
Essential health and safety work is also needed in roads, pathways and headstones.
Council papers said the £36 fee for the chapel was a lot lower than that charged by churches for a service.
Families have as a result been using the council’s chapels and then going elsewhere for burials.
The council said it had considered a steep rise in chapel fees last year to bring them in line with churches. But it was instead decided to bring in more gradual increases.
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by dave sutton, plymouth
Monday, March 23 2009, 8:39AM
“dont know what people are complaing about your not going to care when your gone”
by Adrian, Ivybridge
Monday, February 23 2009, 8:43AM
“If you are dying somewhere like Derriford Hospital you should have the option to sign a chit saying you want your mortal remains disposed of quickly and efficiently in the hospital's incinerator. Minimal expense and no fuss.”
by Dave, Mutley
Monday, February 23 2009, 8:42AM
“Dennis, don't put granny out with the recycling. The rate this council is going she'll be there for a month before they pick her up.”
by Dennis, Keyham
Monday, February 23 2009, 8:38AM
“You might just as well put granny out for recycling day as hope to gain any dignifies closure from a service in down at heel depressing Weston Mill despite the expensive 'refurbishment'.”
by Jessie, Camel's Head
Monday, February 23 2009, 8:35AM
“Just like the Tories to make a killing on cremations.”
by Monica, Mutley
Monday, February 23 2009, 8:30AM
“This is an odd report. Why aren't we told what the previous fee was and how much is charged elsewhere?”
by Norman, Elburton
Monday, February 23 2009, 8:28AM
“I agree the council crematoria are depressing and nasty but you don't have to use the 'chapels' just in order to be cremated. You can have the committal in a church or hall or even your own home amidst family and friends and the send the coffin shroud or card board box on its own to the back entrance of the crematoria for incineration in rotation. We have been to two funeral in that form over the last year and they worked very well.”
by Margaret, Mannamead
Monday, February 23 2009, 8:22AM
“Efford and Weston Mill are horrible. These increases will make no improvements. The private cemetery at Mutley is peaceful dignified but friendly and has plenty of spaces in areas which give the impression of a shaded country churchyard. I suggest these savage increases be used by families as a trigger to avoid the council cemetries.”
by Snivelling Pete, Ford Park
Monday, February 23 2009, 8:15AM
“Molly? You died in the autumn. How come the Herald has started this thread with a posting from you dated 28 june 2008?”
by Good Idea!!!!, PLYMOUTH
Sunday, February 22 2009, 11:12PM
“Out of work ............... have you thought about applying for a job with co-op funeral services at least then you could get the benefits of staff discount and hopefully they extend it to family as well, cause lets
face it nobody at this rate are going to be able to afford to die.
LOL................I think i will look into changing job too. :0)”