D
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Being a funeral director has to be one of the least trust worthy proffessions on this planet.
About time they are being investigated.
https://www.theguardian.com/busines...-industry-under-investigation-high-prices-cma
Britain’s competition watchdog is to launch a major investigation into the £2bn-a-year funerals market, after finding prices have risen above inflation for well over a decade.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said the price rises – both for funeral director and crematoria services – do not appear to be justified by cost increases or quality improvements.
People typically spend between £3,000 and £5,000 on a funeral, and the price of essential elements has risen by more than two thirds in the last 10 years – almost three times the rate of inflation.
A funeral now costs those on the lowest incomes nearly 40% of their annual outgoings, more than they spend on food, clothing and energy combined.
Advertisement
A funeral costs £4,271 on average (excluding discretionary items), up 68% over the last 10 years, while the average cremation fee is £737, up 84%, compared with inflation of 25% over the period. Cremations account for 77% of funeral services.
The watchdog said consumers could save more than £1,000 by comparing options in their area, but as customers were usually distressed they did not tend to do this, making it easier for some funeral directors to charge higher prices. Prices were also often not available online, making it hard to compare them.
Frank Field, chair of the Commons work and pensions committee, said: “The committee reported on how many poorer people are ripped off by funeral directors. I’m glad the CMA has recognised the need to take an in-depth look at this market, to put an end to the exploitation of bereaved people.”
Citizens Advice also welcomed the CMA’s investigation. Gillian Guy, the charity’s chief executive, said: “People organising a funeral are being exploited at one of the most emotional and stressful times in their lives. Huge upfront costs and unclear fees are far too common, with thousands of pounds of ‘extras’ regularly added to bills.”
About time they are being investigated.
https://www.theguardian.com/busines...-industry-under-investigation-high-prices-cma
Britain’s competition watchdog is to launch a major investigation into the £2bn-a-year funerals market, after finding prices have risen above inflation for well over a decade.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said the price rises – both for funeral director and crematoria services – do not appear to be justified by cost increases or quality improvements.
People typically spend between £3,000 and £5,000 on a funeral, and the price of essential elements has risen by more than two thirds in the last 10 years – almost three times the rate of inflation.
A funeral now costs those on the lowest incomes nearly 40% of their annual outgoings, more than they spend on food, clothing and energy combined.
Advertisement
A funeral costs £4,271 on average (excluding discretionary items), up 68% over the last 10 years, while the average cremation fee is £737, up 84%, compared with inflation of 25% over the period. Cremations account for 77% of funeral services.
The watchdog said consumers could save more than £1,000 by comparing options in their area, but as customers were usually distressed they did not tend to do this, making it easier for some funeral directors to charge higher prices. Prices were also often not available online, making it hard to compare them.
Frank Field, chair of the Commons work and pensions committee, said: “The committee reported on how many poorer people are ripped off by funeral directors. I’m glad the CMA has recognised the need to take an in-depth look at this market, to put an end to the exploitation of bereaved people.”
Citizens Advice also welcomed the CMA’s investigation. Gillian Guy, the charity’s chief executive, said: “People organising a funeral are being exploited at one of the most emotional and stressful times in their lives. Huge upfront costs and unclear fees are far too common, with thousands of pounds of ‘extras’ regularly added to bills.”
