Social enterprise celebrates huge milestone in fighting funeral poverty across Scotland

Scotland’s first not-for-profit funeral directors have already saved bereaved Scots £500,000 

In the light of recent findings by the National Funeral Cost Index Report 2019 that low income families are experiencing even more funeral poverty than ever, one local social enterprise has announced they are well on their way to bucking this trend.

The report, which was released on 4 September 2019, announced that the shortfall for those who struggle to pay for a funeral is at an all-time high, having increased from £1,744 to £1,990, a rise of 14% from last year. 

In the previous year, the cost of a cremation in Scotland was £3,544, not including the cost of flowers, catering, memorial or similar costs many would consider essential. 

For many, the bill is simply too high to pay, but facing time pressures and experiencing terrible grief, many feel obliged to foot the bill. As a result, the cost has pushed 1 in 8 bereaved Scottish families into debt.  

In a bid to combat these worrying figures, Caledonia Cremation was launched in February 2018. As Scotland’s first not-for-profit  funeral directors, they offer a dignified and affordable alternative to people nationwide who have lost a loved one and who want to take a little longer to organise their own personal celebration of life away from the crematorium. 

The social enterprise offers a direct cremation service for a flat fee of £995 including collection of the deceased, a sustainably sourced pine coffin and a cremation at an award–winning crematorium [2]. 

Compare that to the average price for a coffin from a traditional funeral director – £984 [1, page 23]. The whole process is offered in a simple and caring way which allows the bereaved families to concentrate on celebrating the life of their loved ones in their own way.  

Since the launch 18 months ago, Caledonia Cremation has helped 200 families and has been named as One to Watch at the UK Social Enterprise Award. Today, they celebrate being one step closer to beating funeral poverty by announcing that they have saved Scots who have used their service more than £500,000. 

Caledonia Cremation was founded by Paul McColgan, CEO of anti-poverty charity Community Renewal, after he experienced first-hand the devastating stress that funeral costs can cause families: 

“My brother in law sadly passed away in his twenties. It was completely unexpected and as a result the family had no financial provision to cover the cost of the funeral. On this occasion family members were able to assist. Unfortunately, we have found that help is not available for many people in Scotland. That is when I realised something had to be done and we set up Caledonia Cremation. 

“Since launching we have assisted families the length and breadth of Scotland and I’m delighted to say that many of those clients have been prevented from facing the additional strain of debt at one of the most difficult times they will ever face.” 

As the company is wholly owned by an anti-poverty charity, their number one priority is the welfare of the individuals and families, so they also offer advice for those applying for funeral benefit and provide a flexible approach to payment. 

Paul McColgan added: “We have experienced many cases of individuals who have not been able to say goodbye to their loved ones as they have not been able to afford the deposit required by many funeral providers.

“We have heard terribly upsetting cases of the deceased lying in a morgue for months whilst their relatives desperately try to accumulate the funds required for a funeral. Luckily, those people have eventually found us and we have collected the deceased immediately and progressed with the cremation as a priority.” 

Paul encourages anyone who has lost a loved one to get in touch – regardless of their circumstances: “We have supported people who have not been able to cover the deposit or the £995 fee, offering advice and help in applying for benefits.  

“As a not for profit, fundraising is crucial in allowing us to provide this service.

“If anyone would like to support us in allowing everyone the right to say goodbye to their loved one in a dignified and stress-free way, then you can donate on our website caledoniacremation.org.uk or by phone 03000 113 311.” 

[1] https://www.sunlife.co.uk/siteassets/documents/cost-of-dying/cost-of-dying-report-2018.pdf 

[2] Clyde Coast & Garnock Valley Crematorium – which was named Best Crematorium in Scotland at the 2019 Funeral Awards.