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Original poster

AIBU to question why taxpayers should fund Ian Huntley’s cremation?

389 replies

PassingStranger · 12/03/2026 23:02

Can't Ian Huntleys mother who was at his bedside and in touch with him, pay for his cremation.
Why should the tax payer pay?
He's already cost the taxpayer loads.🤔😫

OP posts:
Original poster
PassingStranger · 12/03/2026 23:31

Amabo · 12/03/2026 23:30

I sometimes wonder if people just go around looking for things to be outraged about.

You have literally no knowledge of the mother’s circumstances and what exactly the situation is, but still spout off with your ill informed view.

I’m not sure what you expect the state to do. Get the funeral director and crematorium to do it for free?

It’s £3k to dispose of the body, not a state funeral.

Edited

That's why I said if she can pay?

OP posts:
onevision · 12/03/2026 23:31

This is a non event. As pp said much cheaper than the cost of keeping him in prison.

The only other option I thought might happen was the fast, secret cremation and disposal at sea that Ian Brady got. Don't know if there's the same cult interest in Huntley though.

Original poster
PassingStranger · 12/03/2026 23:30

WhitstablePearl · 12/03/2026 23:16

Is it only female members of his family that posters want to be made to pay?

There aren't any others that visited.

OP posts:
Amabo · 12/03/2026 23:30

I sometimes wonder if people just go around looking for things to be outraged about.

You have literally no knowledge of the mother’s circumstances and what exactly the situation is, but still spout off with your ill informed view.

I’m not sure what you expect the state to do. Get the funeral director and crematorium to do it for free?

It’s £3k to dispose of the body, not a state funeral.

LBFseBrom · 12/03/2026 23:29

Work out how much it is going to cost each taxpayer, come back and tell us and we'll decide how important it is in the scheme of things.

Samwsnsb · 12/03/2026 23:29

The gov will just do the absolute minimum cost wise to dispose the remains that's it.

Alpacajigsaw · 12/03/2026 23:28

Samwsnsb · 12/03/2026 23:12

Why should his mother? She wasn't responsible for his crime or for his death? If someone in general public can't pay their funeral the taxpayer pays. This is,I'm sorry to say, a nonsense thread.

All that happens is the ber minimum and his body is cremated and disposed off.

Yes surely this. Most basic of cremations, no cars, flowers, orders of service etc.

if his mum wants more she should pay I agree but murderers need to be disposed of after death same as us all

HeddaGarbled · 12/03/2026 23:27

It’s a prurient over-involvement in things that are nothing to do with you, except the little thrill you get in wallowing in your pretend outrage.

Samwsnsb · 12/03/2026 23:26

You can't force someone to pay for someone else's funeral? He'll get the minimal. Just body disposals and that's it

ilovesooty · 12/03/2026 23:25

He died in prison custody so they are obliged to fund a basic funeral. Which means it comes from government funds. Sick of the yowling on social media from people who don't seem to understand that there are laws about the disposal of bodies.

HoskinsChoice · 12/03/2026 23:25

NormasArse · 12/03/2026 23:13

Her son was in prison for murder x2, why shouldn’t she?

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Her son was murdered whilst under the 'care' of our government. Not sure we will ever find out but she will almost certainly be entitled to significant compensation. The funeral is pretty minor in the grand scheme of things.

WhatAMarvelousTune · 12/03/2026 23:25

NormasArse · 12/03/2026 23:19

Then that’s ok. But the state should not take over the family’s right to do that.

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Nothing has been taken away from her. It’s a standing policy that the gov pays up to £3,000 towards the funeral costs of any death in custody. Huntley’s costs are expected to be below that.

cadburyegg · 12/03/2026 23:22

I don’t get the outcry of paying 3k for a simple funeral. It will be the absolute bare minimum funeral. My dad’s funeral cost 6k 5 years ago, and it was hardly extravagant. IH was killed in prison by another inmate. 3k is nothing compared to what it would have cost to keep him in prison for the rest of his life. He could have lived another 30 years!

Pepperedpickles · 12/03/2026 23:22

Why would you assume she has the funds to pay? Not everyone can suddenly whip up £2k ish for a cremation (even the most basic direct cremation is around £1900- we had one for my Mum). I don’t exactly feel enthralled at the idea of paying for a criminals cremation but what else is meant to happen? Can’t just leave him to rot.

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 12/03/2026 23:21

NormasArse · 12/03/2026 23:19

Then that’s ok. But the state should not take over the family’s right to do that.

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What is the evidence that the state has taken over the family's right to pay?

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 12/03/2026 23:19

NormasArse · 12/03/2026 23:18

But he was her son. I’m saying that I’d want to pay for my son’s funeral. If she had the money, and wanted to, then she should be allowed to.

He was murdered in prison, yes - he was there because he did the same to two other families.

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Yes, but that was his fault, not his mother's. She is not guilty of his crimes.

NormasArse · 12/03/2026 23:19

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 12/03/2026 23:18

She may not be able to afford it.

We don't know what kind of relationship she had with him after his crimes. It may be complicated.

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Then that’s ok. But the state should not take over the family’s right to do that.

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 12/03/2026 23:18

NormasArse · 12/03/2026 23:14

Surely most mothers who are still in touch with their sons would want to?

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She may not be able to afford it.

We don't know what kind of relationship she had with him after his crimes. It may be complicated.

CrocusesFlowering · 12/03/2026 23:18

The state failed to protect him.

NormasArse · 12/03/2026 23:18

LVhandbagsatdawn · 12/03/2026 23:14

Because she did nothing wrong.

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But he was her son. I’m saying that I’d want to pay for my son’s funeral. If she had the money, and wanted to, then she should be allowed to.

He was murdered in prison, yes - he was there because he did the same to two other families.

Rooroobear · 12/03/2026 23:18

Just goady, like the majority of Mumsnet! Can’t argue or reason with stupid

HeddaGarbled · 12/03/2026 23:17

That’s just pure vindictiveness, OP.

Rooroobear · 12/03/2026 23:16

Yet another one!
It was costing the taxpayers £300,000 a year to keep him alive. He was murdered in prison and whether you like it or not, that’s how it is.

WhitstablePearl · 12/03/2026 23:16

Is it only female members of his family that posters want to be made to pay?

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 12/03/2026 23:16

Huntley was a vile man who committed hideous crimes.

His mother did not commit those crimes, and her son has just been murdered because the state failed to keep him safe.

Do I begrudge a tiny bit of my tax going towards the cost of a very simple cremation? Of course I don't.

You need to give your head a wobble, OP.