We always like to keep up to date with the latest news in the death industry. This week we learned that the government has introduced new funding for low income families and that cryomation might soon become available to the public!
The government has introduced a new scheme to make it easier and cheaper to help those on a low income pay for funerals.
The Social Fund Funeral Expenses Payment initiative will be launched from 2nd April 2018. It allows families to claim up to £700 towards funeral costs, electronically submit evidence such as death certificates and make an application within six months of the funeral date as opposed to the current three months.
On average, a funeral in the UK cost £4,078 last year and a direct cremation cost £1,600 - so that means the maximum payment still only covers about 40% of the direct cremation alone.
However, it’s a step forward in the right direction to help families pay for the perfect send-off for their loved ones. We hope this is the start of bigger changes in the funeral industry in the future!
In other news, Sevenoaks District Council in Kent may soon offer the option to freeze bodies as an alternative to cremation or burial.
The eco-friendly process, called cryomation, involves freezing the body at -200C in liquid nitrogen for an hour. Once the body is crystallised, it’s ground into a fine powder for relatives to keep - just like cremated ashes!
Cryomation is considered to be much ‘greener’ than other options as all teeth fillings and prosthetics are removed from the body to prevent it from giving off harmful substances and contributing towards air pollution.
The Law Commission is still in discussions and drawing up the required legislation for cryomation. It’s still very much on the fence, but we think it would be fantastic to offer people an alternative to cremations and burials!
What do you think about cryomation and the Social Funeral Fund news? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter! Or join in the conversation on our huunuu vendor community Facebook group.
