Funeral Poverty John Birrell Fraser Sutherland

“We believe no-one should be prevented a dignified funeral or forced into debt because of the costs of organising a funeral for their loved one. We will review advice on planning a funeral, and review how to make best use of funeral payments to support those on low income who need extra help in arranging a funeral.” [Programme for Government – 1 September 2015] “ It is unacceptable that a bereaved family, trying to come to terms with the loss of a loved one, should go through the stress of worrying about how they can afford to pay for the funeral. …. “The report will look at how the Scottish Government can take a more coordinated approach which will help bereaved families on low incomes organise a respectful funeral without taking on unsustainable debt.” [Alex Neill MSP announcing the Review]

Remit: To produce a report and recommendations on the issues surrounding and influencing funeral poverty with a focus on: Potential role/actions for the Scottish Government and other sectors (UK Govt., Local Authorities, Funeral Industry, Insurers, Credit Unions, etc) in mitigating the effects of funeral poverty on bereaved families Opportunities for preventative work/early interventions to reduce the pressure of funeral poverty in the future Issues relating to the regulation of funeral payment plans and funeral directors (reserved)

FUNERAL POVERTY is a generic term used to encompass a range of issues around the difficulties experienced by people with insufficient funds faced with paying the cost of a funeral. In particular Funeral Poverty comprises: Funeral debt burden: the contribution responsibility for the cost of a funeral plays in a person’s overall experience of unsustainable debt Bereavement Poverty: the effect of financial debt and/or having to adjust the funeral for financial reasons has on the grief experience of the person responsible for arranging and paying for the funeral Funeral industry Debt: the burden of debt carried by the funeral industry as a result of people being unable to pay in full for a funeral for which they are responsible. Funeral debt: the inability to pay timeously and in full the cost of a funeral for which a person is responsible

Why a funeral? Disposal of the body Recalling the person Ritualisation of death = A Funeral

The cost of a funeral: Cost for a funeral in Scotland (average of two surveys): All funerals£ 3550 Burial£ 3799 Cremation £ 3193

Paying for the funeral In a survey of 2000 people across the UK, one in 10 people said they struggled to pay the cost of a funeral. Average shortfall was £1,318 – in Scotland £1573 [Royal London research 2015] Where do people borrow money to pay for a funeral: Family and friends42% Credit card42% Bank or loan provider16% [Sun Life research 2015]

Own resources Assistance to pay Funeral Poverty Disbursement Costs Funeral Director Costs Disbursement Costs Funeral Director Costs Assistance to pay Funeral Poverty 2003 Disbursement Costs Funeral Director Costs Not to scale

Funeral directors costs were 71% of cost of a cremation, and 57% of cost of burial. They have increased by 5% in the past year. [Royal London Research 2015] Funeral Director Costs Professional Services Collection of deceased (10/20 miles) Care of deceased, robe and dressing Necessary arrangements Pre-paying disbursements Attending to documentation and phone calls Viewing during normal working hours Hearse, one limousine, director and bearers Coffin Clergy/officiate fees Cremation/Burial costs

Extras – not usually covered by standard funeral director bill Flowers Death Notice/Funeral Notice Additional limousine(s) Orders of service Venue hire and Catering Embalming Viewing out of hours Live or recorded music Memorial

Burial prices increased by average of 10% last year – one council increased by 42%. Cremation prices increased by average of 5% - one council increased by 15% [CAS research 2015] Burial: Purchase of lair and cost on interment Cheapest: £ 694 Western Isles Priciest: £ 2785 East Dunbartonshire Cremation: Cost of cremation and scattering ashes Cheapest LA:£ 512 Inverclyde Cheapest private:£ 585 Paisley Priciest LA:£ 749 Perth and Kinross Priciest private:£ 830 Moray Disbursement Costs

The “other costs” element of the Social Fund Funeral Payment has not changed in amount for 12 years, but its value in real terms has fallen by 30% while funeral costs have increased Introduced to cover cost of a basic funeral for those with out resources to pay Pays for necessary items and “contributes” a sum to “other costs”. That contribution has been capped at £700 since The value of that has fallen, and the costs have increased to the point where even with a full grant people face an average shortfall of around £1,372 Figure from QSA’s Down to Earth Project Assistance to pay

Own resources Bridging the Funeral Poverty Gap Assistance to pay Funeral Poverty Disbursement Costs Funeral Director Costs Assistance Disbursements Funeral Director Funeral choices OR Address the gap Bring down FD costs Bring down disbursements Increase assistance Increase personal resources Assistance Disbursements Funeral Director

Funeral Literacy – what do you need Keep it simple What did the person want? What can you afford? Think ahead Know what you want before you buy Compare prices and options Competitive market The expense of the funeral is not a measure of the love or respect for the deceased Funeral choices

Deconstructing the funeral? Direct Cremation Natural Burial Do-it-yourself Plant a tree Light a candle Visit special place Have a gathering Go for a meal Create a memory box / book Funeral choices Disposal Recalling Ritual Fune ral

Thin k Budget airline model cheap basic funeral + add-ons Leave it to the state and enhance the LA funeral The Scottish Funeral Bond a funeral, a scheme, a quality award Commercial partnerships Funeral choices

Plan ahead Make a Will Sign a Power of Attorney Draw up an Advance Directive

Plan ahead Make a Will Sign a Power of Attorney Draw up an Advance Directive Funeral wishes Do the research Discuss with family Make a plan Arrange pre-need [Bequeath body]

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