Watchdog: Funeral costs need clarity

Some funeral directors need to be more transparent about their pricing up front, according to consumer group Which?

Vulnerable customers could be put at risk of paying inflated prices, the watchdog warned.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has previously said that it is keeping a close eye on the sector.

The CMA is consulting on the details of new requirements, which it is proposing will come into effect in September 2021.

The watchdog said in December 2020 that pricing information should be provided in advance of a customer committing to purchase a service, so that people know what they will be charged.

Which? said its research in February into 112 funeral directors found about a quarter of them did not include pricing on their websites.

Of those that did show their prices, information was often not presented in a consistent way, potentially making it difficult for people to understand how their money was being spent.

Which? said about 40 funeral directors showed package costs with a description of what is included but provided no cost breakdown. It said only 18 showed itemised price lists.

It said even those signed up to the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) were not always transparent with their costs. Of the NAFD members Which? analysed, a third did not disclose their pricing online, Which? said.

An NAFD statement said: “We are reviewing the CMA’S draft order.”