ELDERLY people on basic pensions are worried about paying for their own funeral as a result of soaring living costs, according to a case worker with the Horncastle Branch of the Royal British Legion.
Mary Burnett said: “Some of the old ones are in debt because their pensions are so low. There is no money for luxuries, and many worry about not having enough money to pay for their funerals.”
According to two local funeral directors, the average
funeral costs between £1,700 and £2,000.
She said pensioners are struggling and rising energy costs are making the problem even worse.
Mary said: “The younger people are out at work all day but the older people are often at home all day and are too frightened to turn the heating on.
“A lot of them are penalized because they have got a small pension from their husbands which means they aren’t entitled to get any more benefits.”
Anyone over 60 is entitled to an annual winter fuel payment of around £250 to £400, depending on age and personal circumstances.
This has just risen by £50 for the over 60s and up to £100 for the over 80s.
But this is still not enough for some and Peter Silver, chairman of Horncastle RBL is feeling the pinch himself.
“Most of us are on a basic pension and are struggling even with the extra fuel payment. I have been putting away as many pennies as I can.”
Winter Fuel Payment Helpline: 08459 151515.
l Are you worried about rising costs? Email sean.topham@jpress.co.uk or write to the Editor, Horncastle News, Church Lane, Horncastle LN9 5HW.
The full article contains 282 words and appears in Horncastle News newspaper.
