On 26 January 2026, we posted Church proposes significant increase in fees for burial which reviewed Schedule 1 of the draft Order, GS2434. A new Parochial Fees Order is required to set the fees for 2027 and beyond (the maximum period permitted under the Ecclesiastical Fees Measure 1986 (the 1986 Measure) is five years).
The draft Order prescribes the “base figures” on which the parochial fees for the period 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2031 will be calculated for marriages, funerals and burials, the erection of monuments in churchyards and certain other matters. The Explanatory Memorandum, GS 2434X, states (at [6]) that “Other than in the case of the fees for burials, the base figures are the currently payable figures for 2026″; a significant increase in burial fees is proposed, the rationale for which is described in the Policy Note, GS 2434P.
General Synod Debate
The Church Times reported that Synod voted overwhelmingly against the proposed increase of £1000 in burial fees[1]. First to speak was the Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt Revd Philip North, who asked for an adjournment. Whilst acknowledging that there was
“an intense debate to be had about the level of fees”, including philosophical questions about how fees should be set, and deeper issues about the accessibility of Occasional Offices to low-income communities“. “All that will do is take all day, push important matters of business out of the Synod, and result in the most terrible mess.”
However, his argument was followed by a debate of nearly three hours, and 20 pages of amendments to the Fees Order. Many speakers referred to the strength of feeling in parishes and the pastoral importance of funeral ministry.
Compare and contrast
In its report(£) Synod overwhelmingly rejects £1000 rise in burial fees the Church Times commented “The General Synod voted overwhelmingly against a proposed increase of £1000 in burial fees, after a debate of nearly three hours on Friday morning” [2].
In February 2020, General Synod changed the target year for “Net Zero” from 2045 to 2030 “achieved through an amendment which was decided after less than ten minutes debate, by a majority of 15, with a turnout that meant fewer than a third of Synod members voted in favour of it”[3].
[1] Under the new order, burial of a body in a churchyard immediately after a service in church would be £1390; for burial on a separate occasion, it would be £1425.
[2]. In Favour, 262; Against 3, 5 abstentions.
[3] Rt Rev David Walker, Bishop of Manchester, ViaMedia News: General Synod Highs and Lows. (14 February 2020)].