Funeral group backs sector scrutiny

Nick Douch, managing director of Douch Family Funeral Directors, which operates eight branches in the county and has run the award-winning Dorset Funeral Plan for more than two decade, has long campaigned against unscrupulous practices in the sector.

The Competitions and Market Authority (CMA) has announced a study into the pricing of funerals and the transparency of costs and the government is consulting on tougher regulations surrounding pre-paid funeral plans.

The industry is aware that businesses are being accused of taking advantage of people when they are at their most vulnerable and charging too much. Pre-paid plans have also been criticised for hidden costs.

Nick Douch said, “We welcome this scrutiny and have been calling for it for some time. Businesses like ours that operate openly and honestly have nothing to fear. We are completely transparent about our funeral costs. The business has always operated transparently so those using its services know exactly what the costs are at the outset.

“Both our funeral costs and pre-paid funeral plan costs can be found on our website. Our funeral plan has won awards partly because of its versatility and also because of the way the finances work.

“Once the amount is paid off, it doesn’t matter how many years in the future the funeral is required because it is already paid for.

“Some funeral plan providers are not very open about what is covered in the funeral plan or where the money will be invested, which is obviously of great concern to those who take a plan out.

“We hear some shocking stories about how people have been misled over costs which can be extremely upsetting when they are still mourning for a loved one.

“Hopefully the reputation of the industry will improve as a result of the action being taken.”