COUNCILS have been urged to waive some of their cemetery burial fees during the coronavirus pandemic.
An SDLP activist called for the temporary change after revealing the costs faced by her family following the recent death of her father.
Heather Wilson said that because they live outside the council area, they had to pay around £1,000 extra to have their grave plot dug up.
Rows of graves being pre-prepared by mechanical diggers in recent days at Sixmile Cemetery in Antrim town has highlighted the stark reality of the Covid-19 pandemic.
As the death toll continues to rise, other councils have begun 'pre-digging' graves.
Two have been 'pre-dug' at a cemetery in Limavady, Co Derry, while a Belfast councillor has said preparations are also being made at Roselawn Cemetery.
Ms Wilson's father passed away last month aged 73 after suffering from dementia.
He was buried in a family-owned plot at Umgall Cemetery in the Antrim and Newtownabbey council area.
Various councils charge additional cemetery fees for non-residents of their local authority area.
Ms Wilson (28), from north Belfast, said: "As a family we were slightly taken aback by this policy, but given the lack of grave space in Northern Ireland, we understood why it was the case.
"However, given the increased number of deaths expected over the coming months, it would be great if council considered temporarily suspending this fee until we are out of the worst of this pandemic.
"Restrictions on funeral attendance and the temporary closure of graveyards will be challenging enough for loved ones at this time without the stress of the added financial cost."
Antrim and Newtownabbey council said its cemetery and burial fees are being applied as normal during the pandemic.
A spokesman said: "Burials are continuing in all cemeteries as normal at this stage. We are working to ensure, as far as possible, that plans are in place to ensure the continuity of this vital service."
On the higher fees for non-residents, he added: "The council's primary responsibility is to ratepayers in our borough.
"There is a significant difference between the fees applied to residents and non-residents, and this is to ensure we can continue to serve the needs of local people first."
Fees applied are based on the residency status of the deceased, the council said.
A 'resident' is considered a person who has permanently resided in the borough in the preceding seven years.
This status can also be applied to former residents who had to relocate for reasons beyond their control, such as related to their care.
In efforts to stop the spread of Covid-19, cemeteries have been closed to the public in areas across the north.
Funerals have also been restricted to immediate family and parishes have advised against holding wakes.
