Last day in Kirklees Council's public engagement over burial fees hike

Residents in Kirklees say they are concerned about the proposed increase in burial costs - with the public engagement period on the issue set to come to an end.

Kirklees Council says bereavement services in the region are operating at a loss and has outlined plans which would see an 85% increase in the cost of a single burial between next year and 2022.

There is also an increase in the price of cremations and out-of-hours services - which has caused anger among Muslim and Jewish communities.

Those faiths require their dead to be buried as soon as possible and are not in a position to book at cheaper “off peak” times.

Launching the public engagement exercise, the Council said: 'We would like your views on whether you feel the increase in charges needed for the service to operate on a non-subsidised basis - ie not subsidised by general funds or by diverting funds from other services.'

The period started on Monday 30 October 2017 and ends today - Friday 8 December 2017.

Anyone with ideas is urged to e-mail bereavement.engagement@kirklees.gov.uk.