Sandwell burial fees to be frozen

Burial fees in Sandwell are set to be frozen for the next year. But the cost of cremations and costs associated with burials, such as memorial vases and plaques, will go up.

The figures are revealed in a review of charges for 2012 in relation to bereavement services which will be discussed on Monday.

There, the borough's cabinet member for service improvement, Councillor Mahboob Hussain will be asked to approve changes.

The proposed increases in fees are "appropriate to meet the increased operating costs and service improvements and are not being introduced to discourage the use of any particular service", a report to Councillor Hussain states.

If approved, the new fees and charges will come into effect from January 1, 2012.

In Sandwell an adult burial costs around £666, which will stay at the same rate for the next year, but the cost of an adult cremation will rise from £527 to £557.

The report adds: "In setting fees two key factors are taken into account, firstly the need to fund the provision of excellent services within a balanced budget, secondly ensuring that the resulting charges are priced competitively so that customers receive excellent value for money."