A NEW “Scottish funeral bond” and funeral benefit are to be introduced to help prevent the loss of a loved one being compounded by debt.
SNP Equalities Secretary Angela Constance set out in the measures in a 10-point plan aimed at tackling the growing problem of funeral poverty.
The cost of a basic funeral has almost doubled since 2004 to nearly £4000, with half of people dying without having made adequate provision for the cost.
The average debt taken on by loved ones for a service is now £1600.
The government’s response includes the piloting of a Scottish funeral bond, an “incentivised savings product” to help those in most need save for their own service.
As a result of Holyrood acquiring new welfare powers, the government will also introduce a new Funeral Expensive Assistance benefit by summer 2019.
This will replace the current Department of Work and Pensions funeral payment, which is worth around £1400 to people on benefits forced to meet another’s funeral costs.
Other steps include publishing guidance on funeral fees by December 2018, and strengthening consumer protection on funeral plans.
Last year the basic cost of a local authority cremation was £669 and a burial £1373, the latter up eight percent in 12 months, while funeral director fees were a further £2000.
It meant the cost of a basic funeral in Scotland averaged £3716.
However there were large differences around the country, with council charges in Edinburgh three times those in the Western Isles.
Councils also spent around £500,000 providing so-called “paupers’ funerals” last year for those who died alone or whose relatives were unable to pay, up 24 per cent in four years.
Ms Constance said there was a “growing problem” of people being pushed into poverty by funeral costs, a hardship that worsened the distress of those already grieving.
Launching the plan on a visit to Renfrewshire Wide Credit Union, which has developed a new funeral payment plan, she said: "The death of a loved one is an incredibly difficult time for anyone. It can be even harder when money is tight.
"We know funeral costs can push people into poverty - and often it is those already in financial hardship who face increased difficulties.
"That is why we are taking decisive action to tackle this growing issue and have engaged with local authorities, the funeral sector and other support services. I am pleased by the willingness to work together to find solutions that support more affordable funerals.
"The Scottish Government is committed to supporting those who need it most following a bereavement, which is why we will introduce Funeral Expense Assistance in summer 2019."
The Church of Scotland said it welcomed working with government to end funeral poverty.
Martin Johnstone, Secretary of the Kirk's Church and Society Council, said: “Over recent years we have consistently spoken out against the growing scandal of funeral poverty.
“Every week, ministers in all parts of Scotland spend time with families who are not only grieving the death of a person they love but are worried about how they pay funeral costs.
“It is unacceptable that families are being forced into debt by the rising cost of funerals - a cost for which many local authorities and funeral directors must take responsibility."
Mr Johnstone also called on the Scottish and UK governments to end the “postcode lottery” of burial and cremation charges, with costs set at a level that enables services to be provided “without crippling those experiencing poverty at a most difficult time in their life".
The Scottish government also published an advice leaflet, Planning Your Own Funeral, setting out how people can raise the subject of dying with their families and plan ahead.
It suggests broaching the subject “while watching the news, a soap opera or other TV programmes” featuring a funeral, and letting others know preferences for burial or cremation, type of service, invitations, readings and music.
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel