Havering Council will increase the cost of cremations to make up for a decline in demand.

Funeral directors in the borough have been “much quieter than usual” this year, according to a council report, and crematoriums have been less busy.

While fewer people dying is “positive” news, the town hall says it needs to address the “negative financial impact” of dwindling revenue.

From November 1 onwards, a 40-minute service in South Essex Crematorium’s east chapel will cost £1,175, up from £1,060.

The cost of a 60-minute service in the south chapel will rise from £1,115 to £1,220.

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Louise Roast, the council’s assistant director of bereavement services, said the new fees “will keep us in line with the market, albeit at the top end”.

Forest Park Crematorium, in neighbouring Redbridge, charges £1,170 for an hour’s service, while Basildon Crematorium charges £1,195.

She argued the 10 per cent hikes were “fair and justifiable in these current challenging economic times”.

The cost increases are expected to generate £100,000 for Havering Council over the next financial year. Prior to the change, the council was forecasting a £290,000 shortfall.

Havering began 2024 with a budget gap of around £32.5million. Since then, it has been making various cuts to services in an effort to plug its deficit.

The number of cremations being held in the council-owned South Essex Crematorium in Upminster has been steadily decreasing since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ms Roast added that the council had considered a bigger increase, but decided it “could significantly deter customers” and unintentionally lead to a “further decline in demand”.

The years 2020/21 saw 3,498 cremations, which dropped to 2,445 in 2023/24. It is expected to fall to around 2,260 by the end of this year.

The council has pointed to a variety of reasons for residents’ health improving.

Ms Roast said higher incomes and reductions in the number of people smoking could have played apart.

Additionally, families have opted for 'direct' cremations, where the body is handled outside the borough and no funeral service takes place.

Councillor Paul Middleton, cabinet member for customer services, approved the decision.