The prime minister has announced the launch of a fund to help parents who have lost a child meet the costs of the funeral.

Under the current system, parents can face thousands in council fees for burial or cremation costs.

However, with the Children’s Funeral Fund for England, fees will be waived by all local authorities and met instead by Government funding.

‘No parent should ever have to endure the unbearable loss of a child – a loss that no amount of time will ever truly heal,’ said Mrs May.

‘But in the raw pain of immediate loss, it cannot be right that grieving parents should have to worry about how to meet the funeral costs for a child they hoped to see grow into adulthood.’

The announcement follows a cross-party campaign to remove fees for funerals for those under the age of 18. The campaign was led by Swansea East MP Carolyn Harris following the death of her eight-year-old son Martin.

‘I have been incredibly moved by the dignity and strength of campaigners like Carolyn Harris, who lost her own son Martin when he was just eight years old. Carolyn has passionately argued for a Children’s Funeral Fund to spare grieving families the burden of meeting funeral costs,’ said Mrs May.

‘In the darkest moment of any parent’s life there is little light - but there can be support.’