MORE older people are breaking down the taboo subject of funerals and discussing the issue with their families, a survey has revealed.

Research conducted on behalf of Age Concern in Bury has shown that the delicate subject is no longer being ignored.

A survey disclosed that 72 per cent of older people questioned were comfortable in discussing their funeral plans with members of their own family.

This figure is significant in that it overturns the popular assumption that the topics of death and funerals were perhaps too upsetting to raise.

The research also revealed that 82 per cent of people in the borough said they were aware of pre-arranged funeral plans. When asked why they would consider a plan, the primary reason was to spare family worry, although paying for their funeral at today's prices was also a factor.

Mrs Beryl Pilkington, chief officer of Age Concern Metro Bury, said: "The results of the research demonstrated that people are not reluctant to talk about their funeral wishes, with three quarters of respondents saying they were completely comfortable with the topic."

She added: "It furt/her shows that older people think about their funeral wishes in advance and consider it important to plan for the future to save their families worry and any additional financial burden."

The research was carried out in December by Survey Shop among a sample of 1,000 people aged 50 and over.

Age Concerns offers its own funeral plan. The charity says one of the major benefits is that the cost of the funeral director's services and certain associated costs are guaranteed at today's prices, saving a person's family money in the future.

More than 300,000 people throughout the UK to date have bought a pre-arranged funeral plan.

And Age Concern's own pre-paid funeral scheme has been sold to 60,000 people since its inception in February, 1997.

Anyone requiring details can visit Age Concern at its advice, information and insurance office on The Rock, Bury, or telephone 761 5895.