A Church of Scotland minister has claimed state funded burials would eradicate “funeral poverty”.
The Rev Bryan Kerr said many grieving families were plunged into debt because they are forced to take out multiple payday loans to cover costs.
The clergyman said research showed the cost of funerals has increased by 80% in 10 years.
Mr Kerr, who wants national insurance contributions to pay for burials and cremations, said the average cost of a funeral in Scotland last year was £,3,500.
Kirk research shows the cost of burial in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, the Highlands and Moray has increased by 21%, 25%, 31% and 69% respectively in the last five years.
The figures, based on research carried out in the last 12 months, suggest the cost of burial has increased by 260% in Shetland, by 73% in Orkney and by 18% in the Western Isles. It is also claimed that the cost of cremation in Aberdeen has increased by 26% and by 38% in the Highlands.
A church and society council report discussed at the General Assembly yesterday claims the average rise for both interment and cremation across the country has risen 62% in five years.
Mr Kerr, of Greyfriars Church in Lanark, said: “The cost of funerals is pushing people into real poverty and some have to get money quickly in advance.
“People are taking out multiple payday loans and the social economic problems of people plunged into debt because of grief and bereavement has a huge knock on effect to society.”
Mr Kerr said local authorities should be forced to cap their costs to stop them “profiteering” from death.
He added that they did not appear to realise that they would be obliged to pay for a pauper’s funeral if bodies were abandoned.
Mr Kerr said only relatives on benefits could secure grants from the Department of Work and Pensions to pay for funerals.
“It would not take much to actually provide costs of a basic funeral for everyone in the country – a couple of pence added to national insurance payments,” he added.
“Everyone needs a funeral and everyone pays taxes.
“We all pay in and we all take out and that would put an end to funeral poverty.”
Mr Kerr said the last thing a person’s loved one would want is for them to be plunged into debt.