FUNERAL directors say they are struggling to keep their costs low.

The National Association of Funeral Directors says that the third party costs of funerals, such as cremation and burial fees have shot up by 48%.

At the same time however, it says that at £1,515 the cost of the average funeral has gone up just 3.25% since 2007.

They say they are increasingly expected to cover the shortfall while maintaining good value for money.

The pattern is one Deborah Ingham, of Huddersfield Funeral Services in Lepton, recognises.

She said: “The simple fact is everybody else can just increase their prices but we can’t.

“Meanwhile the costs that we have to meet are escalating all the time, these include crematoriums, doctors, vicars and cemeteries.

“Kirklees prices at cemeteries have gone up twice in a year.

“These expenses fall to us and while we try to avoid passing the costs on prices will just have to go up eventually.

“I haven’t changed my fees for 18 months.”

The association also said that the Department of Work and Pensions grant available to the poorest families for a simple funeral service is inadequate.

It said the gulf between the Social Fund award and the funeral director’s fees is now £500 because the grant has been capped at £700.

The association is campaigning for change and says the cost of the average simple funeral is £1,184.50.

Ms Ingham said: “I’m one of the last directors around doing the ‘DSS’ funerals. I generally don’t do them except in cases where I’m paid up front. The sad fact is you don’t get paid for them.”

The research showed funeral directors earn an average hourly rate of £35, compared to car mechanics on £90 and electricians on £35-£45.

Association chief executive officer Alan Slater said: “The survey highlights what the profession is experiencing.

“Like all retail businesses funeral directors have been affected by substantial rises in their fixed costs.

be continuing our campaign for an overhaul of the system of Social Fund payments as well as a significant increase in the grant.”