WHILE the cost of living is going up everywhere for UK families, the cost of dying in West Somerset is coming down.

Exmoor funeral director Nick Friendship this week cut his prices to help families facing the financial squeeze.

Mr Friendship, who opened seven years ago in Dulverton High Street, had noticed in the past few months that families were becoming more ‘cost conscious’.

He told the Free Press: “We have seen an increase in the call for direct cremations and we are also seeing an increase in people requesting payment plans to help lessen the burden.

“As an independent business, we are here to look after the bereaved at the hardest time of their lives.

“We do not want to put these people in financial difficulty and feel with the struggles nationwide at the moment that we have to do our little bit to relieve the pressure on the bereaved.”

Mr Friendship said he had seen increases of up to 20 per cent in prices from suppliers to his business compared to 2021.

On top of those hikes, he was having to cope with the spike in utilities costs and fuel, as was happening across the country.

However, Mr Friendship said: “I have taken the decision to absorb these increases to help the families we are caring for.

“There is so much in the news and press regarding the cost of living at the moment and it is only a matter of time before families will feel these issues when planning a funeral. Due to this, I have taken the decision to lower our direct cremation and our traditional funeral package that includes a hearse and limousine, flowers, and service sheets.”

The new direct cremation fee represents a saving of £100, while the traditional package is now more than £400 cheaper.

Mr Friendship said: “It may only seem a little, but hopefully it will help those at their time of need.”

He said he was fortunate to have his own service room in his Taunton branch which meant he could offer families a package of a low-cost attended service for a maximum of 20 mourners in his chapel, followed by a non-attended cremation the next morning, including a minister or celebrant to officiate.

Mr Friendship said he was also able to help families in need to access support from the Department of Work and Pensions.

The business has other branches in South Molton and Barnstaple.