Competition watchdog turns spotlight on DIY funerals

THE rise of DIY funeral directors is being investigated by the Competitions and Markets Authority (CMA), as traditional parlours have been hit by the growth of online competitors.

The CMA made the announcement amid mounting concerns about the rising cost of funerals.

A report by Sunlife this month found that the overall cost of dying had increased from £8,905 to £9,204 in just a year and, according to a Yougov survey for Co-op, four million people have experienced financial hardship as a result of fees incurred following the death of a relative.

Charities are concerned that the mounting costs are pushing families to search online for bargains, leaving them potentially vulnerable to discrepancies, loopholes and fraud.

Growing stories of funeral industry mismanagement prompted the campaign group, Fairer Finance, to publish a report last year highlighting the lack of clarity over pricing, the frequent failure to meet customer expectations, and high-pressure sales tactics.

There have been a number of highprofile 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.”

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

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.