HC Deb 21 July 1975 vol 896 c95W
Mr. Tierney

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will agree that the second doctor's fee for cremation purposes should be borne by the National Health Service.

Dr. Owen

No. The decision to undertake cremation instead of burial is a private matter for the relatives of the deceased. It is not appropriate, therefore, that expenses associated with cremation should be a charge on the National Health Service.