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Child burial and cremation fees axed in Perth and Kinross

Perth Crematorium.
Perth Crematorium.

Grieving families no longer have to pay burial and cremation fees for people who die before they reach the age of 21.

Perth and Kinross Council will scrap the fees from October.

The Scottish Government pledged to fund burials and cremations up to the age of 17, but councillors unanimously agreed to extend this.

It will also apply until the age of 26 for people who have been through the social care system.

The environment and infrastructure committee agreed to axe the fees in May but rubberstamped the decision this week, following confirmation of the Scottish Government plans.

Committee convener Angus Forbes said: “Discussions have taken place with the Scottish Government and COSLA that burial and cremation fees should be waived for people aged 17 and under.

“With funding support to be provided to councils by the Scottish Government, the Scottish Government’s intention is for this new arrangement to be implemented on October 12.

“As a result, I am pleased that we are able to confirm the decision taken in May.

Currently, funerals in the region are among the most expensive in Scotland, although fees are cheaper for children.

The cost to bury a child between the ages of two and 15 can be up to £144, rising to £918 for people 16 and over.

Burying a child between the ages of two and 11 in Dundee costs up to £408, with the price rising to £827 for children over the age of 12. In Angus, there is no charge for under-15s.

Mr Forbes added: “Given the funding commitment by the Scottish Government, I would like to propose that in recognition of the council’s statutory corporate parenting responsibility, the committee agrees to waive the fees for burials and cremations up to the age of 21 in October, in line with the Scottish Government.”


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