Kingston is one of the most expensive places in the country to die, according to a new survey.

The borough made the top 10 list, as ranked by pensions company Royal London, with total funeral and burial costs averaging £5,724.

Royal London consumer boss Jerry Toher said: “Our study shows people are struggling to pay and this is causing household debt.

“It also highlights the range of coping strategies people employ – from using their own savings to meet the shortfall, to selling their possessions or taking on debt.”

Tim Morris, from the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management, said a lack of burial space and rising cemetery maintenance costs were key factors.

He said: “The only sustainable option is for [the Government] to introduce legislation that permits the re-use of old, abandoned graves.”

The poll also found a fifth of people nationally said their relatives left no money to pay for their funeral.