Council burial fees set to rise by 47.5%

Burial fees are set to increase by nearly half in Shropshire in the next financial year.

Shropshire Council's cabinet has agreed to change the cost for its bereavement service from £1,836 to £2,709 - a 47.5% increase from 2024-25.

A statement from the council said its provider, Dignity, proposed the new fee after a "benchmarking process" with nearby councils.

It said its fees had been among the lowest for many years, and would remain £200 less than in some neighbouring authorities.

The move comes as the local authority said it needed to save nearly £23m from its yearly budget in the new financial year.

A fees and charges report was discussed at Wednesday's meeting - outlining the budgeted income to be received and proposing the level of charges to be applied by the council in 2025-26.

The recommended rise will now go to the full council for approval.

The statement said: "The council's bereavement services provider, Dignity, proposed the burial fee increase following analysis of its operation throughout the UK and benchmarking with nearby councils.

"Though there is a significant increase in the burial fee this year, approved by the council, it's important to put this into context.

"For many years burial fees in the Shropshire Council area have been amongst the lowest in the UK and in some years have seen no uplift at all.

"Dignity is currently investing significantly at Emstrey Crematorium which serves Shropshire and the surrounding area, in order to improve the facility, provide a new waiting room and toilet facilities, and maintain the site."

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