NOTHING is certain but death and taxes, goes the old adage. Both can be an expensive business, of course, and if the latest figures are anything to go by, dying is becoming increasingly costly.

Despite a slight drop in 2017, funeral costs in Scotland have risen by a whopping 43 per cent in last decade, and now average £3,600.

In days gone by, almost everyone made provision for their death through an insurance policy or funeral plan, but as highlighted by Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS), funeral poverty is one the rise, with many families struggling to cover the costs of a final farewell for their loved one.

Worryingly, CAS say they have seen a massive increase in the number of people consulting them about funeral costs. Recent statistics also suggested, meanwhile, that as many10 Scots a week are being buried in a so-called pauper’s grave, where the local authority provides a basic funeral.

As pointed out by insurers Sun Life, there are a number of measures people can take to cut down the cost of a funeral, such as opting for a direct cremation - which happens without a funeral service - choosing a cardboard coffin, or having a wake at home rather than in a hotel.

f you do want to save money on such things, it’s probably worth letting your family know