St Helens Borough Council backs Funeral Poverty Awareness Week
St Helens Borough Council is supporting Funeral Poverty Awareness Week (3-9 February), helping to raise national awareness of funeral poverty and its impact on families both locally and across the UK. The campaign encourages open conversation, fair pricing, and improved access to compassionate support.
Article date: 3 February 2026
Funeral costs continue to rise, often at a time when families face difficult decisions and limited time to plan. Many people feel they have no choice but to take on debt — including credit cards, payday loans, or borrowing from family and friends — creating long term financial pressure and emotional strain.
The campaign aims to give residents the confidence and information they need: encouraging people to ask questions, understand the options available, and access financial support where possible. Guidance includes maximising income, exploring financial assistance, and considering practical choices so that the cost of a funeral does not add further hardship during an already distressing time.
One key local support offer is the council's Partnership Funeral Service — a fair, transparent package developed through negotiations with well established, reputable funeral directors in the borough.
The service is available to anyone arranging a funeral for a deceased resident of the borough, whether choosing cremation at St Helens Crematorium or burial at St Helens or Newton Cemeteries. It can also be used for burials in private churchyards or cemeteries, although additional churchyard fees may apply. The council receives no payment for providing this arrangement; it exists solely to support bereaved families with a fair, high quality service at a reasonable cost.
Councillor Trisha Long, Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, said:
"Funeral Poverty Awareness Week is an important reminder that no family should face financial hardship when saying goodbye to a loved one. Our Partnership Funeral Service helps ensure fair pricing, transparency, and high standards of care and respect for residents during their most difficult moments.
"It also reinforces the need for families to openly discuss their wishes and prepare for what's to come for all of us."
Funeral Poverty Awareness Week is a collaboration between Funeral Experts and Stop Loan Sharks (England Illegal Money Lending Team), combining guidance on funeral planning with protection from predatory or illegal lending practices.
For more information about bereavement services and support in St Helens, visit www.sthelens.gov.uk/bereavement.