Funeral homes new law to Funeral directors and crematorium operators must make prices clear for customers, the UK’s competition watchdog has ordered.

Martin Coleman statement, chairman of the inquiry at the Competition and Market Authority (CMA). He said: “Organizing a funeral is one of the hardest things that anyone must do. It is vital that people are treated fairly. Customers need clear information to know what they will be charged. Consumers should be able to compare the prices of different providers.

“We urge funeral directors and crematorium operators to start making these changes now. We will be keeping a close eye on the sector and take action if firms don’t follow the funeral homes new law.”

The new law Funeral directors across the UK must publish clear price lists. Funeral homes directors when seeking referrals under new measures are banned from paying hospitals and care homes   . The competition watchdog after investigating also brought the legally enforceable laws.

Market study They found out that UK consumers were being over charged when they pay for a funeral homes. In 2019 a market study was done to investigate funeral home directors and crematoria services. In 2018 it revealed high prices were charged to distressed families who relied on directors to help them navigate options.

They also found that the two largest firms in the sector, Co-op and Dignity, were often significantly more expensive than many of the small, typically family-owned businesses such as Tehy funeral home that operates in Chelmsford, UK.

However in August 2020, the CMA said it could not implement price controls because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The rates of death were over whelming and had no idea of how far the pandemic will go.

From 16 September, funeral directors must display a standardized price list on their premises and also  their website. The list must include the headline price of a funeral, the cost of individual items which go to make up the funeral and prices of extra products and services.

The CMA has also said from 17 June 2021, funeral directors and crematorium operators must not pay hospitals and care homes to refer customers to them.  Coroner and police contacts were banned from solicitating for the businesses

The CMA’s requirements support the delivery of high standards to funeral homes consumers and  also bring consistency to the process of choosing a funeral director.