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| Typical funeral costs in Powys to increase by 65% | Typical funeral costs in Powys to increase by 65% |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The cost of a typical burial in Powys will increase by 65% in the new year, the county council has announced. | The cost of a typical burial in Powys will increase by 65% in the new year, the county council has announced. |
| Funeral director, Geraint Peate, of Llanfair Caereinion, warned the increased rates could lead to more people needing a so-called paupers' funeral. | Funeral director, Geraint Peate, of Llanfair Caereinion, warned the increased rates could lead to more people needing a so-called paupers' funeral. |
| The cost of a standard adult burial will rise from about £1,054 to £1,740. | |
| Poyws said it had "no option" as it must find savings of £27m over the next three years. | Poyws said it had "no option" as it must find savings of £27m over the next three years. |
| Increases will apply to charges for services including plot excavation, burial rights and headstone erection at Powys's 19 cemeteries. | |
| An additional £400 will be incurred for a Saturday burial. | An additional £400 will be incurred for a Saturday burial. |
| Mr Peate said the increases could backfire, forcing the local authority to pay out more for public health funerals, which must be arranged at a council's expense when no other means for disposal of someone's remains can be found. | Mr Peate said the increases could backfire, forcing the local authority to pay out more for public health funerals, which must be arranged at a council's expense when no other means for disposal of someone's remains can be found. |
| He said: "I do feel very cross about it and concerned at the extra costs for families. How on earth can you warrant such a large increase?" | He said: "I do feel very cross about it and concerned at the extra costs for families. How on earth can you warrant such a large increase?" |
| Conservative AM for Montgomeryshire, Russell George, said he "fully appreciated" the financial pressures facing the council, which is run by an independent coalition. | Conservative AM for Montgomeryshire, Russell George, said he "fully appreciated" the financial pressures facing the council, which is run by an independent coalition. |
| He added: "I contend that the way in which fees are revised must accurately reflect the true cost of the bereavement service provided rather than an implementation of a 65% increase across the board." | He added: "I contend that the way in which fees are revised must accurately reflect the true cost of the bereavement service provided rather than an implementation of a 65% increase across the board." |
| John Powell, cabinet member for environmental protection, said: "There are significant costs associated with managing our 19 cemeteries, including grave digging and regular maintenance. The increases enable the council to fully recover the cost of the service. | John Powell, cabinet member for environmental protection, said: "There are significant costs associated with managing our 19 cemeteries, including grave digging and regular maintenance. The increases enable the council to fully recover the cost of the service. |
| "Taking the decision to increase fees is never easy but with the financial pressures that we are faced with, we have no other options but to increase these fees." | "Taking the decision to increase fees is never easy but with the financial pressures that we are faced with, we have no other options but to increase these fees." |
| The Welsh Local Government Association said the "stark" economic reality for many councils was that unprotected or discretionary services were under "severe pressure". | The Welsh Local Government Association said the "stark" economic reality for many councils was that unprotected or discretionary services were under "severe pressure". |