A MAN was so determined to leave his cash to his family, he organised his own cut-price funeral.

The retired civil servant was cremated last week in the first DIY funeral seen by Tameside Bereavement Services.

The 82-year-old, from Glossop, bought a cardboard coffin for é60 on the internet.

He was taken to Dukinfield Crematorium in a Ford Transit van by his family, who also organised the paperwork.

As requested, no service was held.

The total cost of é400 compared with the usual é2,000 for most funerals.

Michael Gurney, head of Tameside cemeteries, said: "This funeral had been planned for a long time.

"It is a credit to the family in the way they carried out the arrangements."

WOULD you consider arranging your own DIY funeral? Have your say.

SEE a BBC factfile on Do-It-Yourself funerals...