THE cost of placing a large memorial headstone in Adur cemeteries is going to increase five-fold.
The fee for the right to place a large headstone used to be £52. From next month, the cost will rise to £255 – an increase of nearly 400 per cent.
Adur District Council, which controls four cemeteries in the area, has decided to raise the cost for
what are deemed "very large" headstones, which often have a paved area.
A council spokeswoman said: "Historically, Worthing and Adur had a very low charge for the right to place very large headstones.
"Whereas the fee for the right to place a normal-sized memorial headstone is £120.
"The larger stones require more health and safety visits, which costs the council more than was being charged to the public, and after a review of fees across West Sussex, which are significantly higher for large headstones, the decision was taken to move the cost of large headstones in Worthing cemeteries in line with other councils' prices."
The price rise affects Lancing and Sompting Cemetery, off Upper Boundstone Lane, Shoreham Burial Ground, in Mill Lane, Southwick Cemetery, Downsway, and St Nicolas Churchyard, St Nicolas Lane, Shoreham.
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