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Edinburgh tops death cost survey Edinburgh tops death cost survey
(40 minutes later)
Edinburgh is the most expensive place to die in Britain, according to a UK government study. Edinburgh is the most expensive place to die in Britain, according to a UK Government study.
The capital is known to be one of the most expensive places to live but now a comparison of funeral prices shows dying is also a costly business.The capital is known to be one of the most expensive places to live but now a comparison of funeral prices shows dying is also a costly business.
The Department for Work and Pensions' survey found the city's funeral directors charge up to twice as much as those in England and Wales.The Department for Work and Pensions' survey found the city's funeral directors charge up to twice as much as those in England and Wales.
The council's cremation fees are also higher than everywhere outside London.The council's cremation fees are also higher than everywhere outside London.
The DWP researched the cost of a "simple" funeral, which includes director fees, a coffin, transfer of the deceased and provision of a hearse - but not burial, cremation or embalming.The DWP researched the cost of a "simple" funeral, which includes director fees, a coffin, transfer of the deceased and provision of a hearse - but not burial, cremation or embalming.
In Edinburgh we maintain grace sites in perpetuity, whereas in some authorities, it is time limited Gordon GreenhillEdinburgh City Council 'SIMPLE' FUNERAL COSTS Edinburgh - £1,600Kent - £1,170East Sussex - £1,096South London - £1,075Blackburn - £1,000Surrey - £950Birmingham - £925Chelsea - £925Newport/Cardiff - £798
Of the areas analysed, Cardiff was the cheapest for a simple funeral including a burial at £1,572 compared with Edinburgh which would be £3,300. For a funeral not including the burial costs, Edinburgh topped the chart at £1,600.
For a funeral not including the burial costs Edinburgh tops the chart at £1,600 compared with South London at £1,075. The same funeral in South London would be £500 less at £1,075.
It costs £950 to be buried in Edinburgh compared with £590 just 50 miles away in Glasgow. A person dying in Cardiff would have the cheapest funeral, at a cost of £798.
Cardiff was again the cheapest for a simple funeral including a burial at £1,572, compared with Edinburgh's £3,300.
For a simple funeral including a cremation, the cost in Edinburgh would be £2,130 but again far cheaper in Cardiff, where it would cost £1,113.
For a burial only, it costs £950 in Edinburgh, compared with £590 for a burial 50 miles away in Glasgow.
Gordon Greenhill, Edinburgh City Council's head of community safety, said: "Burial and cremation costs in the city reflect the high land values in Edinburgh and the cost of providing a quality service.Gordon Greenhill, Edinburgh City Council's head of community safety, said: "Burial and cremation costs in the city reflect the high land values in Edinburgh and the cost of providing a quality service.
"The fees enable the council to continue maintain and conserve our 30 cemeteries and graveyards."The fees enable the council to continue maintain and conserve our 30 cemeteries and graveyards.
"In Edinburgh we maintain grace sites in perpetuity, whereas in some authorities, it is time limited.""In Edinburgh we maintain grace sites in perpetuity, whereas in some authorities, it is time limited."