Crematorium charges to rise and fees for web casts introduced under changes

Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, bosses at Mountsett Crematorium, in Stanley, agreed to freeze the costs of services and offer free webcasts to bereaved families.

But, despite restrictions on attendance at funerals remaining in place, from November 2020, mourners will face a £48 bill to stream proceedings online for anyone unable to attend in person.

“The issue is around inconsistency,” said Paul Darby, Durham County Council’s (DCC) head of financial and HR services.

“Within County Durham, the county council has a substantial stake in two crematoria.

“Central Durham Crematorium met last week to consider a similar proposal and the charges are harmonised with that facility, where they agreed to reinstate the charges agreed from November, on the back of other facilities in our region reinstating those increases already.”

Darby was speaking at a meeting of the Mountsett Crematorium Joint Committee.

The panel, which is made up of members of councillors from DCC and Gateshead Council, which owns and operates the crematoria on behalf of the two local authorities.

Early in 2020 it was agreed that cremation fees you be increased from £700 to £720 from April 1.

At the same time, the cost of a funeral webcast was also due to rise from £36 to £48.

However, in response to the COVID-19 outbreak a decision was taken to freeze the price of a cremation at £700, while webcasting would be made free.

Between April 1 – August 31 it has been calculated Mountsett Crematorium missed out on revenue worth up to £6,336 from webcast.

A further £15,720 in expected income is also missing from the books due to the decision to freeze cremation fees.

Ian Hoult, the county council’s neighbourhood protection manager, said: “These are sensitive times for our community, but there’s a balance to maintain.

“There is an issue of consistency but at the same time we’re trying to do the right thing.

“We’re already the cheapest in the region and we would be out of step with other authorities by not bringing this in.”

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