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Douch Family Funeral Directors has welcomed the government’s proposals to tighten oversight of the funeral sector, following several high-profile scandals involving the mistreatment of the deceased.
Health secretary West Streeting has confirmed earlier this month that the Department of Health and Social Care will lead legislative changes to address inconsistent standards.
The move follows recent criminal cases in Hull, Hampshire and Leeds involving the hoarding of remains and fraudulent trading.
According to Nick Douch, managing director of the Dorset-based funeral provider, the industry requires better protection against rogue operators. The company, which operates seven branches across the county, has been working with local authorities to pilot inspection standards.
Streeting described current funeral regulation in England as “all over the place” and “non-existent” in some areas. The government intends to work across departments to establish a more robust legal framework for the profession.
Recent police investigations have likewise highlighted significant failings in the sector. In Hull, Robert Bush is awaiting sentencing after admitting to hoarding 30 bodies and 500kg of human ashes. In Hampshire, two undertakers received four-year prison sentences for keeping bodies in unrefridgerated conditions.
Douch said: “The majority of funeral directors are honest and provide a professional service. But there are a minority who give everybody else a bad name and will rip people off and provide an extremely unprofessional service. These behaviours are bad enough in other industries, but dealing with those mourning the loss of a loved one gives funeral directors a much bigger responsibility.
“I welcome any regulations that prevent it from happening – those of us who act professionally need have nothing to fear. It will be interesting to see what regulation is brought forward and how it will be enforced.”
He added: “We have already been working closely with local authorities in Dorset, having been selected as a pilot ‘champion’ to help shape what good inspection standards should look like. That kind of collaboration is important. Any regulation needs to be practical, consistent and focused on maintaining dignity and proper care for the deceased, while giving families confidence in the services they receive.”
