Grieving families unable to attend their loved one’s funeral on the Isle of Wight could soon be charged to watch the service remotely.
A fee for the discretionary service is included in the Isle of Wight Council’s proposed budget for 2022/23 and it could be introduced from April.
Free service since start of pandemic
The Isle of Wight Council has been offering the private online streaming of funerals since May 2020, when it installed a camera and software to do so.
It became crucial when the number of mourners allowed to attend was restricted, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but it was offered for free.
Aim to raise £30,000
According to the papers, £30,000 will be made from the live streaming charge, helping meet the £3 million savings required in the budget.
The leading Alliance group argues the fee is proposed is in line with the national average.
Other councils charge £30 fee to webcast funerals
Other councils across the country, including Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) and Rochdale in Manchester, have already introduced or will introduce in the coming months, a £30 fee for the optional funeral Webcast.
The authority has been approached for comment and for more information.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
