Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)
In 2018, the Competition and Markets Authority, the UK’s primary competition and consumer body, began an investigation into the UK funeral market. This study was designed to examine the change in funeral prices over time and whether pricing information provided by funeral directors was sufficiently clear to facilitate customer choice.
The CMA recognised that funeral directors have the best interests of their clients at heart but that for many people, arranging a funeral was a confusing process that was often more expensive than expected.
The difficult circumstances surrounding arranging a funeral also made it unlikely that customers would research the options available in the way that they might have for other products and services. Instead of comparing options, grieving families would look to simplify the process and choose a funeral or cremation service based on personal experience or recommendations.
In 2021, as a result of the funeral market investigation, the CMA published its set requirements in the form of a legally binding Order, with a view to making it easier for customers to arrange a funeral that meets their needs and budget.
The Funerals Market Investigation Order 2021
The Funerals Market Investigation Order sets out a number of steps that funeral directors must now take when engaging with families. These requirements, which came into force on 16 September 2021, are designed to ensure consistency and transparency for customers at point of need within the market.
The Order provides a clear and concise definition of an attended and unattended funeral, and a standardised price list for each funeral director to complete and display.
The standardised price list template allows funeral directors to enter a headline price and itemised breakdown for attended and unattended funerals, together with additional fees that customers may be required to pay. The price list includes burial and cremation options, and to ensure that it is readily available to customers, must be displayed within each funeral director branch and on their website.
The Order also requires publication of the following information by funeral directors:
price information provided by crematorium operators;
information on the owner of the business;
terms of business; and
details of any material, substantial charitable donations or gratuities.
By ensuring each business displays the same information in a consistent format, customers may consider their options and easily compare prices between different funeral directors; allowing families to choose the best option for them. By using this information, customers can be clear on exactly what they are purchasing and view the associated costs for this; removing some of the worry at an already difficult time.
Many funeral director businesses have chosen to display pricing information on localfuneral.co.uk in addition to their own websites; ensuring transparency and consistency for families when searching for a funeral director online.
For further information on pricing within the UK funeral market, please visit the Government website.