Funeral director appears on TV to warn about pre-paid funeral dangers

A FUNERAL director warned of the dangers of pre-paid plans in an ITV documentary.

Joseph Barsby from G Seller and Co in Hinckley said that plans are often unclear as to what costs are covered while many are set and cannot be personalised.

The managing director was interviewed for ITV Tonight’s Pay Now, Die Later feature looking at the mis-selling of pre-paid funeral plans.

Mr Barsby said: “With over 1.3 million people in the UK having a funeral plan, and the costs of funerals expected to continue to rise in years to come, more people are looking into the options and need to be careful.

“Checking the small print is essential to the process and I would strongly recommend speaking to your funeral director that will be look- ing after you.

“The local funeral director is also clearly able to explain the details of the plan and to work in a professional manner to meet the needs of any individual too.”

The director called for more regulation to ensure clearer information is given to families and whether they need to pay for anything separately when a loved one dies.

He said: “I am fully behind the need for the government to review the sector and to come up with guidance to ensure the sector is better regulated to provide clearer disclosure and protection of the consumer.

“Programmes like Tonight are important if as a sector we are to be totally professional in the work that we do and that we retain our values and ethos in really caring for the people that matter, the families we serve.

“I am passionate about what we do and it is upsetting to see people being taken advantage of by unscrupulous organisations.”

Mr Barsby outlined some considerations families should take when looking at taking out a prepaid funeral plan.

He advised speaking directly to your funeral director, avoiding all third parties and call centres, creating a bespoke plan and being wary of set plans that don’t cover many of the potential costs.

Families should make sure they understand if fees are deducted from the plan, find out how and where the monies will be held, and find out which flexible options there are for payment, choosing the one that is best for them.