COUNCIL bosses have defended a decision to continue charging funeral fees in full despite shortening services by half during the pandemic.

The local authority has come under fire from people on social media for continuing to charge the same fees after cutting crematorium services down from an hour to just 30 minutes.

Angry residents branded the move 'disgusting' and 'shameful' on Facebook community groups.

The local authority has had to temporarily reduce the length of services at Greenock Crematorium to cope with increased demand during the Covid-19 outbreak, which has claimed almost 100 lives in the district.

Currently, cremations for those aged 18 and over cost £722, while there is no charge for services for children aged 17 and under.

Officials confirmed there were no plans to reduce the fees charged for services which are time-limited.

A council spokesman said: “We don’t charge for cremations by the hour.

“The normal hour-long slot is to allow for prayers, hymns, music, religious rites and recollections about the person who has died.

"Sadly, in the current circumstances, we have had to temporarily reduce the length of services to 30 minutes due to increased demand.

“The hour-long window also allows for plenty of time for the changeover between services and for mourners to come and go.

"However, the government guidance is immediate family only should attend a funeral and that numbers should be kept to an absolute minimum so less time is required for changeovers.

“Despite this, costs remain the same and therefore the cremation fee is unchanged during this time.

"The hour-long slots will return as soon as it is safe to do so.”