Child burial and cremation fees scrapped in Wales

Image source, littleny/Thinkstock

Image caption, Figures show 379 children under 19-years-old died in 2015 in Wales

Burial and cremation fees for children are to be scrapped in Wales with immediate effect.

The Welsh Government is making 拢1.5m available until 2020 to support local authorities and other providers of cemeteries and crematoriums.

It follows a campaign by Swansea East MP Carolyn Harris who had to take out a loan to pay for her own son's funeral.

First Minister Carwyn Jones said: "We must do all we can to support families who have lost a child".

He said the announcement will also "end the unfairness" caused by charging different amounts across Wales, with some councils having already abolished burial fees.

The Welsh Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with local government to ensure a "fair and consistent approach".

Lyn Cadwallader, chief executive of One Voice Wales, said: "It is hard to comprehend how difficult it must be for grieving families to cope with this tragic circumstance.

"The introduction of this approach will take away any unnecessary stress and help to ease the pain of grieving families."