Meeting of the Parliament 22 March 2016
As many members have said, the bill covers many sensitive topics. I have focused on funeral poverty because of my experience as a councillor and, as I mentioned at a previous stage, because of a close friend’s experience. Empathy has been mentioned a few times; politicians ought to be able to empathise so that we can understand how we can best serve the people who we are here to represent.
I am pleased that the minister agreed to accept the amendment that I lodged, especially given the welfare state’s cradle-to-grave philosophy and in light of rising funeral costs and an ageing population. I am also pleased that the minister referred to the academic work that I highlighted at stage 2—particularly that of Dr Christine Valentine and Dr Kate Woodthorpe at the centre for death and society at the University of Bath.
Having communicated with those academics, I know that they are keen to share their knowledge to help to eradicate funeral poverty in Scotland. I hope that, in the next parliamentary session, those who are working in that area will use those academics’ work and expertise. As they point out, it is accepted that
“funeral costs may impose considerable financial burden on those left behind ... This burden not only reflects that funeral costs are subject to market forces, but also that bereavement, in itself, may cause financial hardship.”
The situation is compounded by death being perceived as a private and highly individualised event, and that is accompanied by a lack of a widespread culture of preparing for death.
Increasing funeral poverty has important implications for existing and potential future demand on local authorities, which has been flagged up. We need to look at why there is an increasing demand for public health funerals, which are often referred to as paupers’ funerals; obviously, that demand is because of funeral poverty.
I look to the next Government and the next parliamentary session to fully address the social fund funeral payments scheme, because it is not working. Someone can get a funeral payment of about £1,300, but the actual cost of a funeral can be about £3,500.
When people have no choice, they have to go to the local authority or—as in the case of my friend, which I raised in the stage 1 debate—they are advised not to claim the body so that it is left to the state to arrange the funeral. That is not good enough in Scotland today. My friend was left with the shame of not being able to give his mother the funeral that he wanted to give her. I hope that that is addressed fully in the next parliamentary session.
I recognise that my amendment was modest—it was just about guidance on funeral costs—but it will illuminate how to help grieving families keep the cost down and give their loved ones a dignified final send-off. As Rhoda Grant said, a dignified send-off gives those who are grieving some comfort.
The amendment states that, before issuing such guidance, the Scottish Government will have a duty to consult
“burial authorities ... cremation authorities ... funeral directors ... any other persons they consider appropriate.”
I am glad that the Government supported my amendment, because it is a reasonable amendment. It is similar in structure to section 20 of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014. If everyone supports the bill and it is passed later, the Parliament will take one step on the pathway towards eradicating funeral poverty.
I thank the Parliament’s clerking team, which helped me as a newbie to shape an amendment. The team has been supportive and I express my appreciation for that support.
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