SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE AND THE COST OF FUNERALS.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 283, 8 May 1875, Page 3

SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE AND THE COST OF FUNERALS.

In reply to memorials suggesting amendments in the Friendly Societies' Bill, for warded by the committee of the Chorley Family Funeral Society (which numbers about 24,000 members), Sir Stafford Northcote has written a letter, addressed to the Hon F. Stanley. The letter, which has just been forwarded to Chorley, says :—" The Chorley societies impressed me very favourably, and any representation coming from them are, I am sure, entitled to respect. Both the points which they urged in their memorials have been, and still are, under careful consideration, and I believe I shall be able to meet the requrements to some extent, but not entirely." Sir Stafford asks to be furnished with some figures as to the actual cost of children's funerals. In compliance with this request the committe of the funeral society have ascertained the cost of eleven funerals of children between the ages of nine months and five years. The following is the average cost of the incidental expenses in the interment of the eleven children:—Fees or dues, lis 3d; coffin, 13s; shroud, 2s 4d; mourning coach, 6s lOd; loan of hatbands, Is 7d; washing and laying out corpse, 9d; extra honsehold expenses, 14s 9d; loss of wages, 7s 8d; mourning attire, £1 6s Id; doctor's bill, £1 8s 4d; burial ground, 13s 8d; total average cost, £6 6s 3d." The tabulated statement, of which the above is an average, will be immediately forwarded to London.