Ulster Unionist Councillor Alderman Chris McGimpsey has submitted a motion to Belfast City Council calling for charges and costs in relation to the burial and cremation of children up to 18 years old to be waived. This follows the introduction of the Children`s Funeral Fund in England by the Prime Minister.
Alderman McGimpsey said:
“You could not help but be moved by the words of my colleague Julie Flaherty from Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon (ABC) Council in relation to the Children`s Funeral Fund. Julie has endured the personal pain of loss of a child and if we as elected representatives can do anything to help parents at a time of intense grief, then we should do it. It`s the right thing to do, we have the power to do it and we should get on with it.
“The Prime Minister has led the way in introducing the Children`s Funeral Fund in England. Under the scheme, launched by the Prime Minister on the 1st April 2018, parents will no longer have to meet the costs of burials or cremations. Fees will be waived by all local authorities and met instead by government funding in England. In the absence of a Northern Ireland Executive, I believe we should do what we can at local government level.
“I have submitted a motion to Belfast City Council calling for charges and costs relating to the burial and cremation of children up to the age of eighteen to be waived. I hope that this will be on the agenda for the next Council meeting.”