I ask Prime Minister Boris Johnson to “create a special fund to pay Funeral Costs (including burial/ Cremation fees) for deaths caused by Corona virus”.

UK deaths already reached 2500 today and the number of reported cases of those infected by COVID-19 Cases escalating at a staggering rate soon to surpass 30000.

Corona virus and the lock down across the world are affecting every aspect of our lives. Like many other countries, social, financial and economic pressures are wreaking havoc on almost every British Citizen especially those in low income brackets such as unemployed, daily wage self-employed and those with large families.

A large number of people losing their family members due to coronavirus are facing emotional roller coaster. The situation is even worse as most family members are not allowed to visit/ see their loved ones during their last living days/ hours and to say final good byes at the burial/ cremation ceremonies.

Emotional distress is compounded by the additional financial pressures as family members have to pay the funeral costs at a very short notice. Funeral costs in UK are one of the highest in the world around £3,757. On average, the cost for a burial is £4,267, whilst the average cost for a cremation is £3,247. (Source: The Money Advice Service 

The situation is becoming harder for everyone including those losing jobs/ regular income and those with diminishing savings, while the Government help is often not enough just for survival.

I, therefore, petition the Prime Minister Boris Johnson to:

1.                 Immediately provide a special fund for local authorities to waive their burials/cremations fees for deaths caused by COVID-19.

2.                 Increase the social fund help for everyone who has lost a loved one and has to pay for their funeral costs irrespective of financial status

Useful Background Information

Funeral Costs include two major components 1) Fees/ charges payable to Local Authorities and 2) Funeral Directors Costs. These cost vary from area to area and types of service provided by the Funeral Directors to meet family wishes.

Funeral costs in UK are one of the highest in the world around £3,757. On average, the cost for a burial is £4,267, whilst the average cost for a cremation is £3,247. (Source: The Money Advice Service  https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/how-much-does-a-funeral-cost

Funeral Guide recently conducted a large research project to find out cremation and burial costs for 2,400 cemeteries and 303 crematoriums across the UK (excluding Funeral Directors costs which could increase the total cost 2/3 times). https://www.funeralguide.co.uk/help-resources/arranging-a-funeral/the-cost-of-a-funeral

In the UK the average cost of a funeral is £4,417.* The actual cost of a funeral will depend on where you live in the UK, any extra elements you choose to include, and whether you choose a burial or cremation for your loved one. If someone is buried the average cost of a funeral is approximately £4,975*, whereas a cremation costs approximately £3,858.*

The average cost of cremation in the UK is £823. This covers the cost of a standard week-day time slot for an adult resident and does not include doctors' fees or optional extras, such as live streaming a service online.

In England the average cost of cremation is £831. In Scotland it is £815, whereas in Wales it is significantly cheaper at £741.

However, Northern Ireland is the cheapest area of the UK for a cremation, with an average cost of £392. The most expensive region is the South West of England, where the average cost of cremation is £884.

Government Help – Department of Works and Pensions

Department for Works and pensions (DWP) can help a Funeral Expenses Payment (also called a Funeral Payment) if you get certain benefits and need help to pay for a funeral you’re arranging. https://www.gov.uk/funeral-payments

Can I get help?

You can get help towards the cost of a funeral if you meet the following conditions.

You or your partner are getting one of the following qualifying benefits and live in England or

Wales:

1.      Universal Credit

2.      Income Support

3.      income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

4.      income-related Employment and Support Allowance

5.      Pension Credit

6.      Housing Benefits

7.      the disability or severe disability element of Working Tax Credit

8.      Child Tax Credit.

9.      Support for Mortgage Interest loan