New same-day cremation fee 'emotional blackmail'

Rob Scurlock said grieving families "may not be in a position" to afford the fee

A funeral director has branded a council's fee to guarantee bodies are cremated on the day of service as "emotional blackmail".

Families cremating their loved ones at Taunton Crematorium or Yeovil Crematorium must pay an extra £80 if they want to guarantee the cremation on the same day as the service.

Ross Hickton from Saif, who represents independent funeral directors, said: "It seems like it's an extra tax on vulnerable people who expect to cremate their loved one on the same day."

The council said most cremations happen on the same day as the service but may be held over due to "strict environmental controls".

There has always been a fee of £65 to collect a person's ashes on the same day, which has now increased to £80. The new fee, which is also £80, guarantees same-day cremation but not necessarily collection of ashes on the same day.

Only one of the two fees will ever be payable and people can choose not to pay either charge if their loved one's body does not need to be cremated on the same day.

It comes as the standard cost of a funeral at both sites has risen to £1,100 - up from £995 in Yeovil and £1,010 in Taunton. This means it would cost families £1,180 if same-day cremation or collection fees are added.

Mr Hickton said: "It's the first time I've heard of this kind of hold over charge. It's very concerning.

"They are preying on the deceased's family, knowing they want that peace of mind."

Several funeral directors in Somerset, who did not want to be named, have criticised Somerset Council for the changes.

One described the £80 charge as "the council trying to claw back money because they are skint".

Another said the charge was "emotional blackmail" towards grieving families.

Somerset Council said its crematoria offer "an experienced, affordable, sensitive and caring service" and "a range of options to suit people's budgets".

It said there has always been an established charge to ensure return of ashes to a family on the same day following a cremation, and the new "no holdover" charge is, effectively, part of the same charge as it ensures the loved one's remains are not held over.

"Though 90% of cremations still happen on the same day, due to very strict environmental controls there may need to be, on occasion, a holdover," they said.

"This is never more than 24 hours after a service, in most cases, much less."

'Underhand'

Campaigner Rob Scurlock, who was fined £432 after his father's funeral overran by 13 minutes in September 2024, said the charge increase was "potentially discriminatory" to people who cannot afford the fee.

Mr Scurlock said the costs were affordable, and added some families only just manage pay for their loved one's funeral.

"They may not be in a position to pay an extra £80 on top of what's already gone up in price," he said.

"I think it's been a little bit underhand. I would have liked to see evidence that it was discussed and voted on properly."

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