A Freedom of Information Request (FOI) has shown the pattern of burials and cremations in the Harrogate District over the last 5-years
The figures show an approximate 12% increase in 2020, but then the number of deaths plummet in 2021 to around 30% of the average.
Total burials and cremation in the Harrogate District
| Year | Cremation | Burial |
| 2015 | 1580 | 171 |
| 2016 | 1581 | 137 |
| 2017 | 1609 | 184 |
| 2018 | 1640 | 145 |
| 2019 | 1543 | 175 |
| 2020 | 1890 | 155 |
| 2021 | 512 | 47 |
It shows that ‘death by GP’ really was a thing.
It more likely shows that the official massaging of figures has been poorly coordinated.