Burial costs in Scotland have risen by 10% over the last year with council fees varying by as much as £2,000, a new report has found.
Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) said families faced a postcode lottery with East Dumbartonshire being the most expensive while the Western Isles' charges are the cheapest by some £2,091. Meanwhile, Aberdeenshire Council's fees have risen by 42% over the last year.
The charity said the number of people coming to Citizens Advice due to problems with funeral costs has risen by 27% since 2014.
CAS spokesman Fraser Sutherland said: 'When someone dies you have to pay not just the funeral directors, florists etc, but you also have to pay your local authority for the costs of the internment and the lair (grave). Last year we contacted all 32 councils in Scotland to find out these charges, and we found not just that these fees were very expensive, but also huge disparities between the most expensive and the cheapest councils.'
This year's findings showed the trend is continuing, he said.
'Whether you choose a funeral or a cremation, the additional fees of funeral directors, florists etc. swell these basic costs considerably, but at least people can shop around and make choices about those services. The local authority charges are a major problem and need to be addressed urgently.
'We have seen a massive increase in the numbers of Scots coming to the Citizens Advice Bureau because they can’t afford to pay these huge costs. We have met with Scottish Government ministers and will continue to work with other campaign groups to highlight these issues and campaign for change.'
