The price of a plot to be buried in has gone up, almost doubling in some parts of the country, such as Saddleworth’s historic cemetery.
Saddleworth Parish Council is to raise prices by more than 100 per cent to £1,500. And those from outside the picturesque villages will pay £3,000.
The charges have come into force and are taking people by surprise.
Saddleworth Chairman Councillor Brian Lord has slammed the plans as too steep.
But Councillor Neil Allsopp defended the rise, intended to cover the cost of essential grounds maintenance. He said: “The cemetery won open-space awards 20 years ago for being an outstanding example of design, but now it looks untouched, uncared for. A lot of work needs to be done to bring it up to standard.”
Councillor Lord is adamant that the rise is too much.
“The graveyard has always made a profit, without prices having to be put up. We are going to get slammed for this.
The new charges will be 750 for exclusive rights to a plot and £750 for burial.
Prices have increased by over 100 per cent since they were last raised three years ago.
Oldham’s citizens pay around £1,200 to be buried elsewhere in the borough.
