Edinburgh Council has been told it shouldn't make a profit from grieving families who want to live stream their loved ones funerals.
With restrictions on the number of mourners who can attend a funeral limited to close family because of coronavirus, the use of web streams of cremation services has grown.
But Fife Council was forced into a u-turn last week when the SNP proposed a £45 fee for mourners to access the live stream.
Mourners in Edinburgh are charged a minimum of £60.10 for a webcast of a funeral service, but for an extra £16 the video will be available for up to 28 days.
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A host of other extras are also available, including DVDs of the service costing £56.77 each.
Edinburgh Council insisted the charges were purely to cover their costs and provide a high standard of service.
Cllr Karen Doran, Environment Vice-Convener, said: “We provide a high-quality multi-media service. We charge for live streaming to help us cover our costs.
"Our charges cover paying the media supplier, regularly updating our equipment and making improvements such as facilitating video tributes into the livestream, upgrading our speakers and microphones and using high definition cameras.”
Edinburgh Southern election candidate Miles Briggs questioned the cost, and said he would be writing to the council.
He told Edinburgh Live: “In principle I fully agree with giving people the option to live stream a funeral, so that they can say their goodbyes virtually.
“What is very concerning is the cost of these live streams.
“It would be unacceptable for Edinburgh Council to make a profit out of restrictions on people attending a funeral.
“I will be writing to the Chief Executive to ensure that this service is being provided at cost price”
Labour candidate Daniel Johnson also queried the cost, telling Edinburgh Live mourners should only be asked to pay for the cost of the service.
He also suggested the council could facilitate people to use their own devices to stream services to loved ones at no extra cost.
