Fat people cost more to bury

Fat people will cost more to bury than those who are thinner, it has emerged after a British council said it would charge an extra £75 to bury the obese because they take up more space in a cemetery.

Relatives of those with bigger bodies will have to pay £194 instead of the usual £129 fee in Houghton Regis, Beds.

Chairman of the council's burial committee Cllr Linda Walmsley described the charge as "unfortunate".



She said: "There was a request from the funeral directors who asked what the charge would be for a larger person. I think it is unfortunate. I couldn't say everybody would be willing to pay."

It is the first area in the country to vary burial fees according to the dead person's weight.

Deputy town clerk Stuart Oliver said: "I think the action is probably being taken because of limited space in the cemetery."