COST OF FUNERALS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1940, 15 February 1919, Page 3

COST OF FUNERALS.

STATEMENT BY HON. O. W,

RUtsSELL. Wanganui, Eeb. 12

A suggestion by the Mayor that (he Government should look into the question of the cost of funerals led, to an interesting reply by the Hon. G. W. Bussell, when speaking to a. conference of local bodies to-night. “The lime is coming for funeral returns,” said the Minister'. He had occasion during the epidemic to go closely into the question. Hospital hoards had a scale price to pay undertakers for people buried as paupers, the price ranging from £2 10s, to £3 per funeral. “I do not want to say too much on this point, as the matter is being discussed- witii one public body at the present momen 1, who look it into their heads to pay £9 15s per head for pauper funerals during the epidemic. We made inquiries, and found that (ho cost of timber sufficient for a coffin ranged from 15s to 21s. 1 have had an account for £l9 for the funeral of a person who died without estate. The relatives coolly asked the Government to pay the amount. I believe we will have to legislate as to prices, and if people like to pay more it will he their responsibility. In the event of another epidemic prices of funerals would he fixed under war regulations.”