CMA require price lists to be displayed

NAFD News

Competition and Markets Authority introduce new measures

Funeral Directors in Northern Ireland will have to display price lists in branches and online from September as part of a new, legally-binding Order by the Competition and Markets Authority.

From September 16th 2021, any business that operates funerals and crematoria will have to comply with a range of measures aimed at helping bereaved people make more informed choices with easier access to prices and services.

Failure to do so could involve legal injunctions being imposed by the CMA and leave operators open to legal action on behalf of clients who feel they have been potentially over charged or mis-sold a funeral.

In introducing the new, UK-wide obligations, the CMA said that it understood “that funeral directors have the best interests of their clients at heart.” It added: “However, our Market Investigation into the sector has shown that, for many people, arranging a funeral can still be a confusing process and far more expensive than they expected.”

Under the Order, funeral directors must display a Standardised Price List clearly and prominently in their branch window, inside the branch, and online where the business has an online presence. The List must include the headline price of the CMA Attended Funeral and CMA Unattended Funeral (if offered), the price of the individual items comprising the CMA Attended Funeral and the price of certain additional products and services. More details can be found on the Government website.

At the same time, the Order prohibits funeral directors from making payments to incentivise hospitals, palliative care services, hospices, care homes or similar institutions to refer customers, and from soliciting for business from customers through your provision of services under coroner and police contracts.

Jon Levett, Chief Executive of the National Association of Funeral Directors, said: “Although many funeral firms do publish pricing information online, some don’t and there is a wide range of formats used which can be confusing for bereaved consumers at a difficult time.

“The CMA’s requirements, although extremely complex in places for small businesses to navigate, support the delivery of high standards to funeral consumers and bring consistency to the process of choosing a funeral director.

“The NAFD will support funeral firms over the summer to ensure they have all the information they need to comply – and provide feedback to the CMA on these new processes, enabling them to refine them, over time, to ensure they assist bereaved people in making informed choices, and promote healthy competition in the funeral sector.”

The NAFD has written to all Funeral Times subscribers offering support materials it has on its website – whether they are members or not – available at nafd.org.uk with Mr Levett adding “It is important that the profession pulls together for the benefit of bereaved people”.

Finlays of Ardee Ltd. Office: Tierney Street, Ardee, Co. Louth Factory: Kells Road, Ardee, Co. Louth Tel: (041) 6853603 (Int'l +353) • From the U.K. call: (0870) 241 0652

www.finlaygrp.com • info@finlaygrp.com

As we fast approach the final quarter of 2021 and begin to see lifting of restrictions across the Island, Our Team are committed to continue supporting the needs of you our Partner and the Funeral Sector as we move through this period of uncertainty. We as your Partner are committed to continually monitor and adjust to your requirements.

COFFIN RANGE

• We are maintaining our level of increased coffin production and continue to plan to increase from the current 170% of our normal output to 200% of our normal output. • We are producing all of our c. 130 coffin models and our full range of coffin shade and model options remains available. • We maintain a level of stock of Outsize coffins. • We maintain a level of stock of Environmental coffins.

DELIVERIES

We have increased the number of deliveries we carry out along with the introduction of new weekly route plans to better serve you our Partner.

We are your Partner whether you are a current Customer or not, we will do our utmost to support you and your bereaved Families when you need us. Excellence in Funeral Products and Services

Through our own personal experience we received the inspiration to set up Treasured Keepsakes, to give people a wide variety of options upon a loved one’s passing should they choose to keep a lock of hair, cremated remains, a piece of jewellery, a photograph or anything that is a personal reminder of their loved one in a small keepsake, keepsake pendant or urn.

Funeral directors we are currently working with have tailored our service to suit their needs. We have two options of how our service can work for you. If you wish you can buy our products from us at a wholesale price and sell them directly to your clients. Alternatively we can offer this service to your clients directly.

We would hope that by recommending our service we will enhance and add value to your business at no extra cost to you.

For more information contact us or visit our website Tel: 01 825 4579 From NI: 00353 1 825 4579 info@treasuredkeepsakes.ie www.treasuredkeepsakes.ie

Lakelands continue to support families

The Covid-19 pandemic has affected practically every aspect of normal, everyday life. Some have seen minor changes while certain parts of what we have taken for granted for years have seen fundamental change. One of these hugely affected areas is funerals. The death of a loved one or friend is something that everyone has to face at some point along life’s journey and the rituals we observe at such times are precious to us, sacred even. Having so many of these comforting and reassuring rituals taken from us has made this past year so much more difficult and painful for so many. It has fallen to funeral directors around the world, and certainly here at home, to find ways to work in tandem with Government guidelines and within the necessary health and safety restrictions to allow the bereaved to mark the passing of their loved one with dignity and respect and to allow each funeral to be a true, albeit different commemoration of the deceased individual.

Here at Lakelands Crematorium, we have been very aware of the challenges our global situation has presented us, and we have sought new and imaginative ways to faithfully, but safely arrange each cremation. As has always been the case, we have sought to work with funeral directors who come to us for cremation services in responding to the bereaved family and friends’ wishes. This can mean streaming the service online from our crematorium through our webcam or having the service recorded so that a copy of it can be shared with the family afterwards. Using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, we’ve been able to connect with family members who’ve been unable to journey to the service, so that they might speak and share memories and reflections of their loved one. In the same way, in certain, more restricted cases, we’ve been able to allow clergy and civil celebrants to offer prayers and words of consolation, even when they’ve been unable to be here in person. We have felt it especially important at this time to be able to open our doors to immediate family members and close friends, and although the numbers allowed at our services by Government guidelines have been greatly restricted, we know how important it is for even a small number to be able to be present on their loved ones final journey, just as they themselves acknowledge the importance of being able to represent the wider circle of loved ones who would be there in normal circumstances.

Naturally, we have followed all social distancing protocols within the crematorium, as well as offering hand sanitising stations, both for visitors and our staff, who have had access to PPE from the very beginning, from gloves and masks to full body protection when needed. We have worked in conjunction with, and have supported our local Churches in their efforts during this difficult time and these efforts have been deeply appreciated by those who have had to come to us during this time. We will continue to help all who come here to the best of our ability until such time as our old ways can return, with the wakes at home, time for viewing and sympathising and the Mass or Service in the church or chapel. In the absence of a sympathetic handshake or a reassuring hug, the need for an open ear and an understanding heart is felt all the more. In ways both professional and personal, we will continue to offer such support here at Lakelands Crematorium.

Lakelands Crematorium, Co. Cavan