Walsall burial fees facing 5.5pc rise to save money
Burial and cremation fees will rise by more than five per cent in cash-strapped Walsall under proposals to find an extra £65,000 next year.
The move is being proposed by cash-strapped Walsall Council, which has to make savings of £13 million.
It will see the cost of an adult cremation rise from £573 to £604 and an internment from £889 to £938.
Overall prices for bereavement services are due to rise by up to 5.5 per cent from January, although council chiefs insist they are similar to other authorities.
Councillor Anthony Harris, portfolio holder with responsibility for bereavement services said: "Each year we review the fees for bereavement and registration services to ensure we maintain the high standards we have set.
"We have outlined our commitment to providing a high-quality service through significant investment over the years such as installation of mercury abatement equipment at Streetly Crematorium, the replacement of the three aged cremators and extensive refurbishment has also been undertaken and additional car parking has been introduced at a combined cost of around £1.5 million.
"Annually we spend around £80,000 on safety repairs to memorials within our cemeteries and have extended several."
