Thousands of people rushed to buy funeral plans during last month’s record-breaking heatwave, as the UK now faces one of its longest hot spells since 1976 – with amber health alerts in force and temperatures forecast to hit 36C.
Funeral plan provider Simplicity Cremations reported a 166% increase in sales of its direct cremation plans during the three hottest days in June compared with the same period the previous week. The surge came as Britain endured its hottest June day on record, with temperatures soaring above 36C.
“Funeral plan sales surge 166% as UK faces longest heatwave since 1976 with 36C temperatures and amber health alerts.”
“Extreme weather events don’t just change our daily routines, they also remind people that life can be unpredictable,” said Zack Sullivan, Managing Director of Simplicity Cremations. “When the headlines are dominated by warnings that vulnerable people are most at risk, it’s understandable that many begin thinking about putting practical plans in place.”
Sullivan added: “With another spell of exceptionally hot weather forecast this week, we wouldn’t be surprised to see demand rise again.”
Amber heat-health alerts have been issued by the UK Health Security Agency for the Midlands, eastern and southern England until 21:00 BST on 12 July. Yellow alerts are in place across northern England for the same period. The alerts warn of “significant impacts” on health and social care services, including a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with underlying health conditions.
Temperatures could reach 36C in parts of southern England this week, with the hot spot likely in the south. Parts of the south and east officially entered a heatwave on Monday after three days above their threshold temperatures. On Tuesday, temperatures peaked at 32.4C in both Teddington, Richmond upon Thames, and Frittenden, Kent. More locations could reach 34C or 35C in the coming days.
The heat is forecast to build and extend north and west into Northern Ireland and Scotland by Friday, where highs in the high 20s are expected. As high pressure shifts, an easterly wind will pick up, moving the focus of 30C further west across central southern England and South Wales, which could see 33C on Friday. Unlike the late June heatwave, humidity levels have been lower but are now rising again. A few tropical nights – when temperatures do not drop below 20C – are possible, especially later in the week in larger towns and cities.
This heatwave could be one of the longest lasting since the infamous heatwave of 1976, when parts of England recorded 13 to 16 consecutive days above 30C. Throughout this week and next, parts of southern England are forecast to experience temperatures above 27C or 28C, meeting the heatwave threshold. Some locations could ultimately remain in a heatwave for as many as 14 days.
Train services are already being disrupted. East Midlands Railway (EMR) advised customers to travel only if essential and to try to travel before 12pm this week to avoid the highest temperatures. Regional services between Nottingham and Worksop, and Nottingham and Leicester, will be suspended from 12pm on Wednesday to reduce the impact of extreme heat on the railway. EMR added that some other services will operate at reduced speeds for safety reasons, as high temperatures can cause rails to buckle, overhead wires to sag and lineside fires – steel rails can exceed 50C when air temperature is 30C.
