THE price of death in Southampton has risen by more than £100 in the last year.

A recent survey found the price of an average burial in the city would cost £3,880, which is £124 more than in 2014.

These costs would only cover a simple package which includes coffin, hearse, funeral service and burial, with prices ranging from £1,995 - £5,195 Southampton.

If the family of the deceased wanted flowers or a decorative coffin the charges could be as much as an extra £150.

The study, carried out by Royal London financial agency, showed that the price of cremations in the Southampton has also increased by 4.3 per cent, costing £145 more than last year.

Leader of Southampton City Council, Simon Letts said the council aims to offer a service which will help funeral directors keep prices down.

He said: “As a council we want to provide people with the service tailored to them.

“We are working in tandem with funeral directors to try and keep these costs down.

“We need to ensure that we are offering a more competitive price so that people across Southampton can give their loved ones they send off they deserve.”

Many funeral directors in the city have found that people are shocked at the high prices of funerals and are starting to shop around for the cheapest options.

Simon Waters, of Waters & Sons Independent Funeral Directors Ltd, on Spring Road, said he has seen more people turning to independent firms.

He said: “With the government cutting costs, people have had to cut back wherever they can."

“We offer a very competitive all-inclusive package of £1,995, which includes hearse, pallbearers, coffin, doctor’s fees and a 30 minute service.

“Council’s could probably keep their costs down but cutting the length of their slots, this is why we offer 30 minutes, because it is rare we get asked to carry out a 45 minute service.”

The Royal London study was based on the crematoria facilities in the South East, not each individual town.

According to the Royal London survey the average cost of funerals in Eastleigh is £3,305 and £3,122 in Fareham.

By Tim Birkbeck