Watchdog turns spotlight on online DIY funerals

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) are investigating DIY funeral directors after traditional parlours have been hit by the growth of online competitors. 

 

Sunlife released a report this month which stated that the cost of a funeral had seen an increase in one year from £8,905 to £9,204 and according to YouGov survey for Co-op, four million people experienced financial hardship as a result of fees incurred following the death of a relative. 

 

Concerns have been raised by charities that the mounting costs are pushing people online to search for bargains. Fairer Finance publish a report last year highlighting the lack of clarity over pricing, the frequent failure to meet customer expectations, and high-pressure sales tactics leaving these families vulnerable to discrepancies, loopholes and fraud.

 

There have been a number of high-profile cases of mismanagement, including that of Somerset funeral director Alison Pople, who in 2016 narrowly avoided jail after stealing at least £14,000 from families who had asked for charity donations to be made in lieu of sending flowers.

 

Funeral provider Dignity said: "Experts working in the industry described a wide range in standards of facilities. These included inadequate storage, lack of refrigeration and general disregard for the deceased.

 

"Mourners expect funeral directors to adhere to industry standards or be regulated by the government. Many wrongly assume there are common standards for facilities and training to ensure their loved one who has passed away is properly cared for."

 

According to James Congdon, an analyst at Canaccord Genuity, which monitors the industry, the number of funeral directors has risen from 2,500 in 2004 to as many as 6,000,

 

Although all members of the National Association of Funeral Directors are "regularly inspected" and "abide by a strict code of practice", membership is not compulsory.

 

The CMA will examine the practices of funeral directors, as well as competition and transparency in the sector.

 

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