The cost of burials in Wolverhampton is to soar by 30 per cent, the Express & Star can reveal.

The cash-strapped city council is also increasing the costs of cremations by 13 per cent and increasing most of its memorial fees.

The move, which is expected to raise an extra £260,000 over the next two years, has been described as a “disgusting tax on the dead” by critics. The burial fees will rise from £1,480 to £1,724, while the cremation costs will increase from £755 to £920 under the plans.

A cremation including an organist will cost £492 up from £435, and all the rises will come into force from December 1.

Today the council said the increase was partly to fund the planned extension of Bushbury Crematorium, which is quickly running out of burial space.

That, together with new cremators at the site, will cost at least £2.5 million and the authority is already under big pressure to save money.

The council needs to save £35 million by 2011 because of the credit crunch and below-inflation Government funding.

The rises are set to be approved by the ruling Tory-Liberal Democrat alliance when the cabinet meets on Tuesday.

Across the region, there is very little consistency in what local authorities charge for burials. In Dudley it is £1,400, it is £2,096 in Birmingham, £2,132 in Sandwell and £2,085 in Walsall.

Councillor Steve Evans, shadow cabinet member for adults, said: “At a time when people are already struggling financially, it’s a disgusting tax on the dead.”

But Chris Huddart, council head of community services, said: “Unfortunately, we have no option but to propose these increases.”