A council's plans to implement a higher fee for wider burial plots have been retracted following public objections.
City of Wolverhampton Council had initially proposed a 20% increase in price for burial plots measuring six foot rather than five at Tettenhall’s Danescourt cemetery.
However, the move has been criticised by those working in the funeral industry, as well as members of the community.
Ross Hickton, a funeral director, told the BBC that the fee is a ‘fat tax’, creating an ‘an extra stress, burden and worry that a family really shouldn't have to go through’.
Resident Rosemarie McLaren also said the change is 'not acceptable’, arguing that the suggested charge is discriminatory.
Although areas such as Coventry, Staffordshire and Birmingham have introduced the fee, Wolverhampton is said to have confirmed on Thursday that it would not be advancing the change.
A council spokesperson stated that ‘no formal decision was ever taken on plans to charge more for larger burial plots.’
They added: ‘This is a common practice taken by councils around the country where higher charges cover the costs of providing a larger plot.
‘However, following consideration, we have decided not to proceed with the plans.’
.png)
