Help To Ease The Burden of Funerals

Help to Ease the Burden of Funerals From Stirling Council

Stirling Council is piloting a pioneering new service which will help to ease the financial difficulties experienced by some families after the loss of a loved one.

 Recent figures published by the Citizens Advice Bureau suggested, of Scotland’s 55,000 funerals annually, 10% of families struggle to pay the bill.

Direct Funerals aims to address that by having Stirling Council assume and provide several responsibilities normally associated with funeral directors. The national average cost of a traditional funeral is £3,600 but the Council’s pilot will offer an affordable and dignified alternative to families who already have access to a lair across Stirling.

It will cost £1,800 – a combination of the existing internment and lair fees - with Council staff taking on extra responsibility for liaising with the family of the bereaved, contacting a local funeral director, carrying the coffin and controlling the cortege, as well as handing out cords for the lowering of the coffin – all at no extra cost.

Members of the public interested in more information can contact the cemeteries service on 01786 404040, 0845 277 7000 or email cemeteries@stirling.gov.uk.