THE cost of being buried or cremated is set to rocket to help pay for a greener service.

An inflation-busting price hike of 13 per cent on cremations is set to come into force from the start of next month, along with a five per cent increase on the cost of a burial.

A Bolton Council report reveals the price rises will help fund new measures to slash mercury emissions from crematoriums by 50 per cent before 2013.

The increase will raise an estimated £2 million to allow the council to fit mercury filters to crematoria by the government deadline.

Other measures considered to pay for the costs included a loan, but councillors decided to follow other local authorities who have introduced a surcharge to help build a fund.

The current cost of cremating anyone aged over 18 is £290, and £33 for those aged 17 and under. The report says the five per cent rise in burial costs would bring them in line with other local authorities.

A council spokesman said: "The increased charges are to cover an environmental surcharge to meet the cost of mercury abatement equipment required to bring us in line with government guidelines by 2013.

"The only way to reduce the amount of mercury released by cremations is by installing the equipment."

Cllr John Byrne, Bolton Council's executive member for the environment, said: "We are committed to ensuring that we meet the criteria for dealing with emissions by the deadline.

"This is one way of making sure we have enough funds to meet those criteria. We are confident we will continue to offer good value and service."