Lottery of Welsh funeral costs

The cost of a funeral depends on where you live

A new survey shows that funerals can be twice as expensive in different parts of Wales.

The research by the Welsh Consumer Council found that a basic funeral could cost little more than £700 in some towns.

But it could set you back by almost £1,500 in others.

Separate inquiries by BBC Wales have shown that Cardiff is the cheapest place in Wales to die. In the capital, the county council has negotiated a basic funeral fee of less than £600.

Cardiff: Cheapest place in Wales for a funeral

Funerals are getting more expensive each year.

The average cost across Britain is now more than £2,000 for a burial and £1,200 for a cremation.

The council questioned 60 Welsh firms and found that the lowest quote for a funeral was £728 pounds, and the highest £1,424.

Delyth Higgins from the WCC said people needed to know that they could get a cheaper service by shopping around.

"Funerals are purchased in a significantly different way from any other goods and services at a time when consumers are at their most vulnerable and under emotional strain," she said.

Independent funeral directors denied they were fooling vulnerable families.

They said there were standard charges, although local fees and costs like newspaper advertisements could push up the bill.