A.W. Lymn backs fairer bariatric burials after council backlash
Government data show that as of May 2025 about 64.5% of adults in England are overweight or living with obesity, continuing a rising trend since 2015
Register to get 1 more free article
Reveal the article below by registering for our email newsletter.
Want unlimited access? View Plans
Already have an account? Sign in
A.W. Lymn has called on local authorities to adopt a more consistent and compassionate approach to bariatric funerals after a council was forced to drop plans for a surcharge on larger gravers.
Wolverhampton Council faced criticism earlier this year for proposing a £2,700 charge for a 6ft-wide grave at Danescourt Cemetery – about 20% higher than the fee for a standard 5ft plot. The move, branded a “fat tax” by some campaigners, was reversed after public opposition.
Government data show that as of May 2025 about 64.5% of adults in England are overweight or living with obesity, continuing a rising trend since 2015. Funeral providers have had to adapt to the practical needs of larger individuals, including reinforced stretchers, specialist lifting equipment, wider coffins and larger hearses. But not all services are equipped, and some families face extra costs and fewer options.
Several councils, including Birmingham, Walsall and Telford, already apply higher fees for wider plots, often citing the cost of land, excavation and equipment. Critics say such surcharges risk placing additional strain on grieving families and may reinforce stigma.
Matthew Lymn Rose, managing director of A.W. Lymn, said: “Every individual deserves dignity in death, regardless of size. That’s our core belief, and it should be a shared standard. Handling bariatric funerals is not just about equipment, it’s about empathy.
“Additional costs should always reflect actual additional resources and never feel punitive. Transparency is vital. So is compassion. We should be guiding families, not overwhelming them with unexpected fees at a difficult time.”
He added: “We want to reassure families that they won’t be judged, and that practical obstacles can always be met with care and professionalism. The focus must always remain on delivering a respectful and meaningful farewell.”
A BBC survey earlier this year found that more than a third of 27 local authorities in the West Midlands charged extra for larger plots.
A.W. Lymn, established in 1907, operates 25 funeral homes across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire, and employs more than 130 people.
