Heatwave sparks 166pc increase in people thinking about their own death

Heatwave sparks 166pc increase in people thinking about their own death New amber warnings of an increased risk to health and life have come into force for parts of the UK Thousands of people searched for funeral plans during the peak of the last UK heatwave, new figures show. Last month's record-breaking heatwave saw Britain endure its hottest June day on record, with temperatures soaring above 36C. As health officials warned older people and those with underlying health conditions to take extra care this week with another heatwave and amber warnings in place, funeral plan provider Simplicity Cremations says it saw a 166% increase in sales of its direct cremation plans during the three hottest days in June compared to the same time the previous week. Zack Sullivan, Managing Director of Simplicity Cremations, said: "Extreme weather events don't just change our daily routines, they also remind people that life can be unpredictable. 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. "During June's record-breaking heatwave, we saw a 166% increase in funeral plan sales compared to the same days the previous week, suggesting many people decided it was the right time to get their affairs in order. With another spell of exceptionally hot weather forecast this week, we wouldn't be surprised to see demand rise again. While it's never an easy subject to think about, planning ahead can remove uncertainty and financial pressure for loved ones." Some trains have been cancelled and others will run at reduced speeds as a heatwave could bring temperatures of up to 35C this week. One train company warned customers to travel “only if essential” after the UK entered its third heatwave in as many months on Monday, with temperatures expected to climb to the mid-30s in some areas later this week, according to the Met Office . East Midlands Railway (EMR) said customers should try to travel before 12pm this week to avoid the highest temperatures, expect disruption on the network and check for timetable changes before travelling. The company said regional services between Nottingham and Worksop, and Nottingham and Leicester, will be suspended from 12pm on Wednesday, to reduce the impact of the extreme temperatures on the railway. EMR added some other services are set to operate at reduced speeds for safety reasons. High temperatures can cause rails to buckle, overhead electric wires to sag and lineside fires, while steel rails can exceed 50C when the air temperature is 30C. South-east England officially met the heatwave criteria on Monday evening, after three days of temperatures above 28C, the Met Office said. Temperatures are set to continue to rise across the UK throughout the week, and more regions are likely to reach their local heatwave thresholds, the forecaster added. Parts of southern England could see temperature highs of about 33C on Wednesday and 34C on Thursday, with the highest readings of 35C forecast for isolated areas on Friday and Saturday. By the weekend, the warm air is forecast to reach northern parts of the UK, and conditions are set to become increasingly humid, with a growing risk of showers or isolated thunderstorms. Amber warnings in place Amber heat health alerts have been issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for the Midlands and southern England, from 9am on Wednesday until 9pm on Sunday. This means significant impacts are likely across health and social care services due to the high temperatures, including a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions. Yellow heat health alerts have also been issued by the agency for Yorkshire and northern England, also between 9am on Wednesday and 9pm on Sunday. The UKHSA said similar significant impacts are possible across these areas, and warned of a potential increase in water-related incidents across England, including risks from cold water shock and drowning. The Met Office also warned England could experience “tropical nights” later this week, where temperatures will not fall below 20C. The forecaster added UV levels are set to be high or very high across many parts of the UK throughout the week, reaching an index of eight across most of the south of England and Wales on Wednesday, and advised people to ensure they use sun protection.