An Investigation into the High Cost of Burial in the UK, and the Problems it poses for the Growing Muslim Community of London
A Proposal by: Badr Al.Bakrri Abu Haraz (Chair)
Alrahmah Community Development
Main Office
One Westminster
37 Chapel Street
London NW1 5DP
United Kingdom
Contents page
3. Abstract
4. Introduction
5. Funeral Poverty: The Rising Cost of Death
8. What Does Arahmah Propose to Achieve?
9. Why should Al Ramah be established as a Funeral Director?
11. Conclusion
12. References
13. Acknowledgements
Abstract
Since the recession many in the British community are struggling to live day to day. Statistics indicate that unemployment rates still remain significantly high, posing a threat on all sectors of the British economy.
One growing cause for concern is the issue of funeral poverty. When a loved one passes away, it is the desire of every family member to provide the deceased one with a well-organized funeral. However, unfortunately this is not always the case as the high cost of burial in the UK means many Muslims are forced to return the deceased body of their loved one to their native country which also proves to be costly as well as emotionally difficult.
In this report Al Rahmah Community Development explains the work which they propose to carry out in order to tackle this issue.
Introduction
Alrahmah Community Development is a community based organization located in the city of London. The organization is currently managed by professional volunteers, who work diligently to provide their help and support to the less fortunate in Sudanese community in the UK as well as the less fortunate in Sudan. This includes providing such individuals in Sudan with medical aid as well as clean water for drinking, Children in need and families on crisis and desperate needs.
Other community based projects involve financially supporting Muslim families in London with funeral costs of their deceased loved one, and in addition to this also providing emotional support to such families as coming to terms with the death of a close loved one can certainly be challenging.
Other forms of support provided involve supporting and advising individuals on matters relating to employment and providing them with verbal support on how to actively seek employment.
Other services offered include providing basic emotional support to the vulnerable or those marginalized in the society. For instance, individuals who may be unable to speak English, hence face much difficulty when trying to integrate into the wider society.
In addition to this Alrahmah intends to become an internationally recognized community based project in the near future, where it aims to provide furthermore services to individuals, especially the youth who may also be facing unemployment and other problems. As well as this women groups with help, support and advice.
Funeral Poverty: The Rising Cost of Death
Numerous Articles have been written by many British leading newspapers highlighting what they define as ‘funeral poverty’, where individuals from the British population are struggling to come to terms with the rising costs of funeral.
In an article written by the Independent newspaper titled ‘Rising Funeral Costs Mean Poor People are forced to Bury Relatives in their Back Garden, Says Labour MP’, relatives of a deceased are often struggling to raise funds for even a basic funeral in Britain. This inevitably puts the family members of the deceased under unimaginable financial pressure, let alone dealing with the loss of their loved one. Relatives here simply desire the ability to bury their loved ones, rather than paying for a lavish funeral due to the financial implications it carries.
Similarly, BBC news recently carried out an investigation on surging funeral costs, and the threat it poses for the less affluent. Based up on the findings of this investigation the National Association of Funeral Directors also began to shed light on the rising cost of cremation.
Quaker Social Action (QSA) is a charity which provides support and advice to relatives who are grieving over the loss of a loved one. The charity runs a ‘Down to Earth Scheme’ where it provides support to thousands of British citizens on how to address funeral poverty.
Interestingly the charity also touches upon the fact that funeral costs vary demographically across the whole of the UK, London unsurprisingly being the most costly in regards to funeral costs.
The International Longevity Centre- UK is another charity which brings to our attention issues of concern relating to longevity, aging and population in Britain. In April 2015 the organization published a report known as ‘The Funeral Time bomb’. The report highlights the financial implications of a burial in Great Britain. According to the report funeral costs have risen by 80% between 2004 and 2014, and are expected to increase furthermore over the next few years.
Another report written by Kevin Moore and Nicola Cunningham called ‘Funeral Poverty’ sheds light on how cancer patients who are faced with a sudden terminal diagnosis most certainly have very little time for any provisional funeral planning let alone a lavish funeral.
A research study carried out by the University of Bath known as ‘Funeral Poverty in the UK: Issues for Policy’ revealed that less affluent families who turn to the Social Fund Funeral system for support are often given insufficient financial support in regards to the cost of the funeral. The report urges policy makers to take immediate action to address funeral poverty before such an issue becomes a significant future crisis. This clarifies that support provided by the Social Fund Funeral system clearly seems to be insufficient in meeting the actual cost of the funeral, especially when these costs seem to be increasing substantially every few years. As a matter of fact, it should also be noted that at least 50% of applications for financial support with funerals are dismissed by this Social Fund, or in other cases the application process in itself has proven to be considerably lengthy.
It is evidently clear that due to the recession which has had a considerable impact on the British economic system, huge numbers of the population are barely living above the poverty line, but now faced with the even greater problem of funeral poverty, they neither can afford to die.
What Does Alrahmah Propose to Achieve?
Alrahmah wishes to provide a free of charge burial service as a funeral director to Muslims who are already struggling financially in the city of London. It is important to acknowledge that funeral costs as mentioned before are particularly high in the city of London. Having such a facility in the capital of London would certainly be beneficial especially for individuals struggling with financial hardships.
The main reason behind this project is to purchase a premise as an institution which is recognized as a funeral director. The premise which will be purchased will include a waiting area for men and women, reception, coffin preparation area, storage and washing facilities. This will be exclusive to one area in London, which will also be used as a cemetery with a capacity of 28 burial lots and grave sites. As well as CCTV and lighting for security.
Other aims of this organization include working with the youth in London; this will be done by using such a premise for the purpose of health, social and educational activities. Individuals who desire to help the organization by providing their time and effort will also have the opportunity to work voluntarily at the institution. In addition to this it is crucial to remember that with the support from donations and sponsors, as Al Rahmah wishes to be recognized as a non- profitable organization which is committed to helping the vulnerable.
Why Should Alrahmah be established as a Funeral Director?
Currently there is a crucial need for a funeral director for the growing Muslim population in London, as a large proportion of the British Muslim population resides here. The high cost of burial in the UK must not be an overlooked factor, specifically in the city of London where funeral costs are considerably high.
Individuals with low income, no income, family commitments, and financial hardships are struggling to come to terms with expenses quoted by the main stream funeral directors. This has been indicated by the current studies concerning the expenditure involved towards the cost of a funeral. Additionally, the high cost of cargo and air plane tickets in order for the body to be returned abroad poses furthermore difficulties for the families of the deceased.
Members of the community from other faiths and backgrounds would also be given the opportunity to use such a premise for the purpose of health, social and educational activities. However, the burial service provided by the funeral directors will be in line with the Muslim faith only. Allowing individuals from all faith groups to use the premises for such a purpose will enhance positive relationships to develop between many members of the community.
This within itself is likely to create many social and economic benefits. For instance, by involving the youth and providing them with work skills, experience and education a safer community can be established. This in the final analysis will undoubtedly decrease the high crime rates amongst the youth in London, enabling them to become practical individuals.
In addition to this workshops for individuals who wish to seek employment, develop their English writing and speaking skills can also be organized. Such workshops will help individuals to gain reading, writing and speaking skills. As well as this support on how to write a CV, or prepare for a job interview will also be available. This most certainly will empower individuals to become independent and as well as productive.
Conclusion
It has become evident that funeral poverty has now become a national cause of concern; with funeral costs increasing substantially policy makers have been urged to review the possible effects of such a situation.
Alrahmah Community Development, a charitable community based group which aims to purchase a premise as a funeral director where a free of charge burial service can be provided for the growing community population in London. Other aims include utilizing such premises as a communal hall for improving community cohesion by working with the youth, as well as training and educating the vulnerable members of the community by providing them with eminent life skills and advise.
We would be grateful if you could support us with this project (or any other project of your choice) by sponsoring or donating whatever is in your means to make this project a success.
As mentioned before that we are a non-profitable organisation which is dependent on volunteers, donors and sponsors. Therefore, any financial help and support we receive will be used for the purpose of aiding the many projects we hold.
If you would like to make any financial contributions or would like to enquire about any of the projects which we run then please contact us on +44 07875149753 or +44 07440020286, or you could also email us at alrahmahcommuntydevelopment@outlook.com
Alternatively, you could also transfer your donation into our bank account, please be sure to reference any donations which you make. Our bank account details are:
Barclays Bank, AL-Rahmah Foundation Group,
Account Number: 80743666, Sort Code 20-69-15.
References
The International Longevity Centre-UK. 2015. The Funeral Time Bomb (online) Available at: www.ilcuk.org.uk (accessed 21/10/15)
Grant, P. 2015. Cost of a Funeral Soars to £3,700- But What Do You Get? BBC News Online. Available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-34424586 (accessed 26/10/15)
Quaker Social Action. 2015.Two Reports Reveal the Extent of Funeral Poverty Available at: http://www.quakersocialaction.org.uk/news/two-reports-reveal-extent-of-funeral-poverty-crisis (accessed 27/08/15)
Moore. K. 2015. Funeral Poverty (online) Available at: http://intranet.careplusgroup.org/uploads/chronicler/document/document/15/Kevin_Moore_-_funeral_poverty.pdf (accessed 27/08/15)
Gander, K. 2014. Rising Funeral Costs mean Poor people are forced to bury Relatives in their back Garden, says MP. The Independent Online. Available at: http://www.independent.co.uk (accessed 26/10/15)
Acknowledgements
This report was first published in January 2016 by Alrahmah Community Development.
The report was authorized by volunteers who work for the Alrahmah Community Development. We would like to thank everyone for the great contribution they have made towards the development of this report.
- A. Abdullah
- S. Nache
- A. El Bakrri
- Funeral services teams
G. Khalil
M. Mostafa
O. Omar
A. Gismsid
I. Abu Naib