THE cost of dying in Milford Haven is to increase by 20 per cent, following a meeting on Monday.

At its annual precept meeting the town council approved a 20 per cent increase in cemetery fees, in an attempt to plug the increasing deficit incurred by the council, which runs the site.

This is the second year in a row that a controversial increase in fees has been approved, despite dissent from some councillors, and a local funeral director.

In November, Shane Morgan of Tom Newing and Sons, wrote to the council, calling the proposed rise “unacceptable in this economic climate”.

He said the above-inflation increase would “lead to the bereaved not being able to afford a burial, and having to opt for cremation when it is not the deceased’s wish”.

Eight families had been forced to make this decision since 2015’s increase, he added.

Mr Morgan also called on the council to consider following in the footsteps on Neyland and Llanstadwell Burial Board and Haverfordwest Town Council, and cancelling its extra charge for people who had died while living outside of the area.

And Cllr Tony Eden has repeatedly described the increase as a “tax on the bereaved”.

But with a growing deficit, and urgent repairs needed at the cemetery, others have said it is time the council stopped keeping figures ‘artificially low’.

Headstone prices are to stay the same, at £176 for first inscription and £87 for second inscription.

It was also decided that the council’s annual precept – the contribution council tax payers make towards the running of the town - will increase from £32.30 for a Band D property to £33.43, bringing the council’s annual income to £165,957.

This means the average Milford Haven household will pay just £1.43 more a year for its local services.

Councillors also voted to again give £7,000 to Milford Haven Museum, and increase its donation to the Torch Theatre to £9,000 for the year.

Up to £5,000 has also been set aside for the town’s Sea Cadets & Royal Marine Cadets, who are currently fundraising for a new minibus.