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Cost of public cremation rises by a third Cost of public cremation rises by a third
(about 4 hours later)
The average cost of a cremation at a public crematorium has risen by a third since 2010, the BBC can reveal.The average cost of a cremation at a public crematorium has risen by a third since 2010, the BBC can reveal.
An adult cremation costs an average of £640, according to Freedom of Information responses from local authorities that run crematoria in the UK. An adult cremation costs an average of £640, according to Freedom of Information responses from local authorities that run crematoriums in the UK.
The cost of new anti-pollution equipment and larger coffins have been blamed.The cost of new anti-pollution equipment and larger coffins have been blamed.
Critics say crematoria are being run inefficiently.Critics say crematoria are being run inefficiently.
More than 170 local councils each run at least one crematorium. In other areas they are operated by private firms.More than 170 local councils each run at least one crematorium. In other areas they are operated by private firms.
The majority said price rises were linked to the cost of installing new technology to reduce the amount of pollution, in particular from mercury tooth fillings, in response to government guidelines.The majority said price rises were linked to the cost of installing new technology to reduce the amount of pollution, in particular from mercury tooth fillings, in response to government guidelines.
'Drastic increase''Drastic increase'
Most crematorium managers have paid between £1m and £3m to upgrade equipment to comply with new environmental rules, Tim Morris from the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM) claimed.Most crematorium managers have paid between £1m and £3m to upgrade equipment to comply with new environmental rules, Tim Morris from the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM) claimed.
"Costs to cremation authorities have increased drastically," he said."Costs to cremation authorities have increased drastically," he said.
"Crematoria have had to completely replace all of their equipment to comply with changes in environmental legislation, the latest being additional equipment to filter pollutants from the waste gases.""Crematoria have had to completely replace all of their equipment to comply with changes in environmental legislation, the latest being additional equipment to filter pollutants from the waste gases."
Many local authorities run cemeteries at a loss, Mr Morris said, with the surplus money made by crematoriums subsidising burial services.Many local authorities run cemeteries at a loss, Mr Morris said, with the surplus money made by crematoriums subsidising burial services.
In Barrow-in-Furness, in Cumbria, the fee for cremating an adult has gone up by more than 100% - from £359 to £721.In Barrow-in-Furness, in Cumbria, the fee for cremating an adult has gone up by more than 100% - from £359 to £721.
Keith Johnson, assistant director of Barrow-in-Furness Borough Council, said its fees were initially too low and had been brought in line with others.Keith Johnson, assistant director of Barrow-in-Furness Borough Council, said its fees were initially too low and had been brought in line with others.
"Crematoria are incredibly expensive to run, they are not cash cows," he said."Crematoria are incredibly expensive to run, they are not cash cows," he said.
"At the time of the price rise (in 2012-13) there were 314 crematoria in the UK, we were the fourth cheapest."At the time of the price rise (in 2012-13) there were 314 crematoria in the UK, we were the fourth cheapest.
"We were completely behind the market and based our new price on the two nearest crematoria.""We were completely behind the market and based our new price on the two nearest crematoria."
Because it has not yet installed the newer pollutant filters, the council must pay a £53 government-imposed levy per cremation.Because it has not yet installed the newer pollutant filters, the council must pay a £53 government-imposed levy per cremation.
Mr Johnson said the facility was going to be refurbished over the next four years and the new equipment would be installed.Mr Johnson said the facility was going to be refurbished over the next four years and the new equipment would be installed.
'Absurdly high''Absurdly high'
Northumberland has seen a rise from £407 to £695.Northumberland has seen a rise from £407 to £695.
A spokesman for Northumberland County Council said the rise was in part to bring the county "more in line" with neighbouring authorities.A spokesman for Northumberland County Council said the rise was in part to bring the county "more in line" with neighbouring authorities.
He said £1.8m was being invested in new air pollution control equipment to comply with "increasingly stringent environmental legislation".He said £1.8m was being invested in new air pollution control equipment to comply with "increasingly stringent environmental legislation".
In contrast, Lichfield has seen its price drop from £542 to £495, with a council spokesman saying a newer crematorium had made the service cheaper to operate.In contrast, Lichfield has seen its price drop from £542 to £495, with a council spokesman saying a newer crematorium had made the service cheaper to operate.
Charles Cowling, author of the Good Funeral Guide, said prices were "absurdly high" because crematoriums were being run "grotesquely inefficiently".Charles Cowling, author of the Good Funeral Guide, said prices were "absurdly high" because crematoriums were being run "grotesquely inefficiently".
He said the energy used to cremate a person cost £15 at most but prices rose when staff and maintenance were factored in.He said the energy used to cremate a person cost £15 at most but prices rose when staff and maintenance were factored in.
The cost of switching the cremator on and off each day was high, he said, adding that a better system would see fewer crematoriums but ones which run day and night.The cost of switching the cremator on and off each day was high, he said, adding that a better system would see fewer crematoriums but ones which run day and night.
A spokesman for the Local Government Authority said: "Cremations are not run to make a profit, but meeting the standards bereaved families expect requires continual investment in chapels of rest, grounds maintenance and equipment.A spokesman for the Local Government Authority said: "Cremations are not run to make a profit, but meeting the standards bereaved families expect requires continual investment in chapels of rest, grounds maintenance and equipment.
"Meeting environmental targets for crematoria from 2012 has meant local authorities have also had to fit expensive abatement equipment over the last few years."Meeting environmental targets for crematoria from 2012 has meant local authorities have also had to fit expensive abatement equipment over the last few years.
"Although these factors have pushed up the price of a cremation, these costs represent a relatively small portion of the overall cost of a funeral.""Although these factors have pushed up the price of a cremation, these costs represent a relatively small portion of the overall cost of a funeral."
Have you been affected by issues covered in this story? Are you worried about the cost of cremations and other funeral expenses? Let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories.Have you been affected by issues covered in this story? Are you worried about the cost of cremations and other funeral expenses? Let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories.
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