West Lothian Council Tackles Funeral Poverty

That the Parliament welcomes the move by West Lothian Council, which has worked collaboratively with undertakers to offer fixed funeral costs in light of increasing funeral poverty; understands that funeral poverty has been defined by Citizen’s Advice Scotland as "difficulties experienced by people with insufficient funds faced with paying the cost of a funeral"; believes that the average funeral cost in Scotland is £3,700; understands that a price of £1,550 has been agreed with five local funeral providers in an attempt to make funeral costs more affordable; notes that the cost will include the necessary certification, guidance on registration and legally-required procedures, the provision of a coffin and transportation, including a hearse, in addition to holding a service in a crematorium, funeral parlour or cemetery, and commends everyone involved for their willingness to tackle the impact of poverty in the local area.