Halton Borough Council is planning an innovative scheme that would enable residents to have a fixed cost funeral for a fixed cost that would be lower than the national average, helping ease the financial pain following a bereavement.
The ‘residents’ funeral’s would provide a dignified and reasonable cost alternative to what is offered in the marketplace and stop people falling into debt to pay for their loved one’s funeral expenses.
This has become a real problem in recent years as funeral costs have risen.
The Halton Resident Funeral would be just like any other funeral service. For a fixed cost it would include the actual funeral service, cremation at Widnes Crematorium or burial at one of the boroughs cemeteries.
As well as a hearse the funeral package would also include one following car. Options would also be available to have functions at the Select Security Stadium or Runcorn Town Hall.
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.”
The Halton Residents Funeral would be available to residents of the Borough. It would be available to any resident who wanted to purchase it regardless of means. For a fixed price an individual purchasing a Halton Residents Funeral the following would be included:
• Collection of the deceased from any location in the Borough or from Whiston or Warrington hospitals.
• Dressing of the deceased. Viewing of deceased at Chapel of Rest (restrictions apply to latter – Based upon funeral directors operation. This would come out in the tender offers)
• Provision of a suitable oak (or similar) finished 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 the Widnes Crematorium chapel or a graveside ceremony at Runcorn cemetery.
• Cremation at Widnes Crematorium or burial at Runcorn, Widnes or Peel House cemeteries. Cremated remains would be scattered without attendance in the garden of remembrance at either Widnes or Runcorn cemeteries (families would be free to make alternative arrangements with regards to ashes should they wish).
Initial plans were approved by Halton Borough Council’s Executive Board Meeting today (Thursday)