Lancashire council to increase prices of burials and cremations

Blackburn and Darwen Council has confirmed its plans to increase burial prices by 7.5% and cremation fees by 10% commencing from 1 November, along with parking charges across the area. 

It is reported that the price increases are in response to the hike in energy fees and that the decision has been made “reluctantly” by the council.  

Councillor Jim Smith of Blackburn and Darwen Council said: “We understand how difficult the current climate is for our residents and have held off these price increases as long as we could.

“Against a backdrop of rising costs across the board, we have benchmarked all of our charges against other local authorities. We are working on an average price increase of 7.5% for burials and 10% for cremations. The crematorium has a bigger cost of running the facility due to the rising price of energy.” 

He added: “However, we are having to make some difficult decisions as the council is also facing increasing operating costs.”