As gas prices rise for the Isle of Wight Council, so does the cost of cremations for Islanders.
The council’s cabinet approved the increase at its meeting on Thursday night.
A cremation, including the use of the organ and a biodegradable urn, will now cost £55 more, rising from £1,010 to £1,065.
The only charge not to go up, is that of a direct cremation — a basic cremation with no guests or service — which will cost £450, the same price as in 2020/21. The council says this is to keep the charge at the lowest price possible as it is mindful of the increasing financial pressures people are facing.
Introducing the new fees will make the council £120,000 — £30,000 from charging £55 to use the live streaming video service and £90,000 from the uplift in fees.
The fees will be increased from 1st July, or earlier if possible.
The council’s cabinet also agreed to review the business model of the bereavement services — exploring all the alternatives open to mourning relatives, including burial at seas. It will also look at dealing with the rising utility costs, which have seen the council’s gas bills quadruple.
Councillor Jarman revealed earlier in the week that the price the council pay for its gas has risen from 3p a unit to 14p and could rise further as the authority is on a commercial levy.
Currently, in the business model, services charges increase annually 5.4%.
The council has frozen the costs of burials.
The council has frozen the costs of burials
somewhat surprised – wages of grave diggers are up, cost of shovels are up – council don’t normally need an excuse to raise prices.
I’ll do it for half the price
Great. Cannot afford to live and now cannot afford to die either.
So, using these criteria the price will obviously go down as energy prices level off etc.? I wont hold my breath waiting for this lot to try and actually help those who need it most!
Silly me I thought the council stopped screwing us when the lid goes on the coffin. Obviously not
Someone isn’t telling the truth here. Why are full cremations services going up in price but not direct cremations if the issue is the price of gas?
Final nail in the coffin.
You would think that given the amount the council get out of you while alive the least they could do is give you a free cremation.
Love the way the way council say
their costs have risen !!!!!!!
from 3p to 14p well news flash our prices have gone up as well, so we are paying 2 gas bills !!!
Yours as well as our own …
From the cradle to the grave / pot ……