Perth and Kinross Council is expected to approve plans today to end charges for child burials, a move which would leave just seven councils in Scotland as the last parts of the UK where parents are asked by their local authority to pay in order to bury their child.
Fees have been scrapped in England and Wales, and last month it was reported in the media that East Lothian had become the first Scottish local authority to follow the example. Since 1 April 2014 Aberdeenshire Council has made no charge for stillborn or under the age of 16 children. This covers the interment fee, but not the cost of the lair.
There is currently financial assistance available through a Funeral Expenses Payment. Full information is available here https://www.gov.uk/funeral-payments
In summary the Funeral Expenses Payment can help to pay for some of the costs of the following:
• burial fees for a particular plot
• cremation fees, including the cost of the doctor’s certificate
• travel to arrange or go to the funeral
• the cost of moving the body within the UK, if it’s being moved more than 50 miles
• death certificates or other documents
It can also provide support up to £700 for any other funeral expenses, such as funeral director’s fees, flowers or the coffin.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said a “new funeral expense” plan will be introduced next year.