FINANCIALLY pressed families are turning to local authorities for help in paying for their loved ones’ funerals, a new report has found.

Research by the Local Government Association found that councils across England and Wales funded almost 3,000 funerals last year, largely because families could not afford burial costs.

The report said that 52-per-cent of councils reported increases in numbers of families claiming not to have enough money to pay for funerals.

Councils spent £2.2million on funerals, with the average cost of a funeral being £950.

Cllr David Rogers, chairman of the LGA’s community wellbeing board, said the government’s complex 25-page form stopped families from claiming grants.

He says the process was slow and often families who fail are faced with having to pay costs up-front.

He said: “The last thing a grieving relative needs is extra stress over whether they're going to be able to pay for and organise the funeral of their loved one.'

“There is a specific grant available to alleviate that situation, but it’s so outdated, complex and confusing that it often prevents people getting the support they’re entitled to.”

Dennis Blackler, chairman of Age Concern Poole said: “Of course it is a very sad and a difficult time anyway.

“But I understand that people are not having the money with the rise of fuel and energy bills. Then of course, funeral costs are going up and up and so people can’t afford it.”

“I do give my sympathy to people, as we don’t want them to find themselves in this situation.”

Under the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984, when someone dies outside of a hospital and there is no next of kin or anyone else to foot the bill, the funeral arrangements and costs fall on councils.

Bournemouth Borough Council, however, saw a decrease in requests compared with last year.

Linda Barker, bereavement services manager, said: “If family members of the deceased concerned request a Public Health Act funeral, we advise them in the first instance to apply for a government grant to help towards the cost.”

The council have carried out 15 funerals so far this year, down on the number of 24 from 2010.