North Yorkshire Council

Environment Executive Members

27 February 2026

Fees and Charges for the Bereavement Service 2026/2027

Report of the Assistant Director – Regulation and Harbours

1.0       PURPOSE OF REPORT

1.1       To seek approval from the Corporate Director of Environment, in consultation with the Executive Member for Managing our Environment to approve fees and charges for the Bereavement Service for 2026/2027

2.0       SUMMARY

2.1       Approval is sought for fees and charges for the Bereavement Service for 2026/2027. Consideration of inflation and comparison with neighbouring local authority provision has been made in recommending these fees (Appendix A).

3.0       BACKGROUND

3.1       The Bereavement Service provides a range of services with fees for cremation and income generated collated by the Competition and Markets Authority as part of their work on the funeral sector. Fees, income, and other operational statistics are published by The Cremation Society.

3.2       Benchmarking of fees has been undertaken across nationally published fees for cremations, and across the Yorkshire and Humber region for burials.

4.0 DETAILED PRESENTATION OF THE SUBSTANTIVE ISSUE

4.1       Cremation fees. The service offers three different cremation service types, accounting for a range of bereaved families wishes and budgets. These are direct cremations (no mourners present), an early service at a reduced price, and a standard cremation service. Fees are set with consideration for market demand and differences in the lengths of service offered at each crematorium in line with operational parameters.

4.2       Exclusive rights of burial fees. The length of future exclusive rights of burial has been harmonised to 50 years from the range of 30 to 100 years in legacy councils. The fee for exclusive rights of burial is variable in line with demand and capacity at different cemeteries.

4.3       Chapel fees, where available remain variable due to the facilities and capacity available in rural cemetery chapels compared with crematoria chapels.

4.4       The Children’s Funeral Fund for England is a government scheme which can help to pay for some of the costs of a funeral for a child under 18 or a baby stillborn after the 24 weeks of pregnancy. The Council is required to publish fees and charges for cremation and burial for children, however no charge is made to the bereaved family and the Bereavement Service will claim costs back directly from the scheme.

4.5       Memorialisation during services such as photographs, music and webcasting are provided via a third-party contract. Fees will be raised in accordance with any changes in fees from the supplier, considering inflation, and a requirement to ensure that fees account for the overall base cost of the third-party contract.

4.6       Memorial permit fees have been harmonised. Memorials purchased through the Bereavement Service are provided via a third party. Fees will be raised in accordance with any changes in fees from the relevant supplier, taking inflation into account.

5.0       CONTRIBUTION TO COUNCIL PRIORITIES

5.1       These proposals contribute to the following Council priorities. A well led and managed, financially sustainable, and forward-thinking council.

· To operate on a commercial basis where it is appropriate to do so and invest in council owned assets to drive revenue generation opportunities to fund Corporate Plans.

6.0 ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED

6.1       None

7.0       FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

7.1       The Corporate Fees and Charges Strategy establishes a requirement to review fees and charges within Directorates on an annual basis.

7.2       The proposed fee income is reflective of the 2026/2027 budget.

8.0       LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

8.1       There are no significant legal implications arising from this report.

9.0       EQUALITIES IMPLICATIONS

9.1       There are no significant equalities implications arising from this report.

10.0     CLIMATE CHANGE IMPLICATIONS

10.1     There are no significant equalities implications arising from this report.

11.0     REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS

11.1     These recommendations harmonise fees where this is appropriate.

12.0	RECOMMENDATION
12.1	It is recommended that the Corporate Director of Environment, in consultation with the Executive Member for Managing our Environment, approves the revised fees and charges as proposed.

APPENDICES

Appendix A –Bereavement Service – Fees 2026-2027

BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS: None

Callum McKeon

Assistant Director Regulation and Harbours

County Hall

Northallerton

27 February 2026

Report Author – Adrian Clarke, Head of Registration, Coroner and Bereavement Services

Presenter of Report – Callum McKeon, Assistant Director, Regulation and Harbours