Halton Borough Council has revealed it is launching the Halton Residents’ Funeral, the  package that will enable residents to have a funeral for a fixed cost, much lower than the national average, next month.

The project, which it hopes will help ease the financial pain following a bereavement will be available from Monday 3 September.

The Halton Residents’ Funeral is described as a dignified and reasonable cost funeral package that is indistinguishable from any other.

Any person who is a resident of Halton is able to purchase a Halton Residents’ Funeral either at the point of need or in advance. A cremation funeral purchased at the time of need costs only £1,989.

For those who already have a family plot burial prices start at £1,870.

Recent figures show that a typical funeral costs on average £4,078. This cost can vary quite a bit, depending on location and the funeral arrangements.

The Halton Residents’ Funeral will be organised  by Houghtons Funeral Directors, which has been appointed to the task following a full tender process.

Company Director Rob Houghton, said: “We are delighted to have been appointed by Halton Borough Council to be its partner in this venture and we look forward to serving the people of Halton”.

Houghtons has an office at Fredrick Street in Widnes.

The Halton Residents’ Funeral is like any other and includes:

*Collection of the deceased (within 25 miles)
*Dressing of the deceased. A viewing of deceased at Houghtons Chapel of Rest (during office hours)
*Provision of a coffin with handles and an engraved nameplate.
*The funeral directors professional fees for making all necessary arrangements for the funeral service including provision of all appropriate *Staff and facilities to ensure that the funeral service proceeds with dignity.
*Transportation of the deceased in a hearse from the funeral home to the funeral service and one following limousine.
*A funeral service of 30 minutes in Widnes Crematorium chapel or a graveside ceremony at Runcorn Cemetery. *
*Cremation at Widnes Crematorium or burial at Runcorn, Widnes or Halton (in an existing family plot

Halton Borough Council’s Executive Board Member for the Cemeteries & Crematorium section, Cllr Stef Nelson, said: “We believe that access to a dignified funeral, without getting into crippling debt, is a basic human right.

“It is unacceptable that a bereaved family, trying to come to terms with the loss of a loved one, should go through the stress of worrying about how they can afford to pay for a funeral.

“Many people end up with expensive credit card or payday loan debts, or need to borrow from friends or apply to charities to pay for the funeral. We are really pleased to have found a partner in Houghtons who is as committed to this as we are”

If you are interested in a Halton Residents’ Funeral contact:

Houghtons Funeral Directors
2 Frederick Street
Widnes
Cheshire
WA8 6PG
0151 345 6726
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