Calls Grow for Regulation of England’s funeral Industry Following Scandals
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Bereaved families are demanding greater oversight of England’s funeral industry, as ministers prepare to respond to a series of disturbing revelations about the handling of remains.
A growing chorus of voices is calling for a new investigatory body adn mandatory professional qualifications,following an official inquiry that condemned the sector as an “unregulated free for all.” The push for reform comes amid a backdrop of deeply concerning cases, including the abuse of bodies by a serial killer and the shocking mismanagement of funeral homes.
A Systemic Failure in England
Currently, England stands apart from Scotland – where legislation and a mandatory code of practice have governed the industry since March – by allowing anyone to establish a funeral business without any requirement for licensing, experience, qualifications, or training. This lack of oversight has created a vulnerable environment, ripe for exploitation, according to critics.
The impetus for change stems, in part, from an official inquiry into the crimes of David Fuller, a double killer discovered to have abused over 100 bodies while working at an NHS mortuary over a 12-year period. Sir Jonathan Michael, who led the inquiry, earlier this month described the situation as “unacceptable” and called for urgent action.
The impact of this unregulated environment extends beyond criminal cases,deeply affecting grieving families. Michaela Baldwin, whose stepfather’s body was found at the Legacies parlour after his family received what they believed were his ashes, emphasized the urgency of the situation. “It’s absolutely disgraceful. There needs to be regulation on how bodies are stored and paperwork must stay with the deceased at all times,” Baldwin, 35, stated.
One notably harrowing case involved zoe Ward,who paid Amy Upton,owner of Florrie’s Army – a baby-loss support service now banned from working with the NHS – to arrange a funeral for her baby boy,bleu,who died at three weeks old from a brain hemorrhage in 2021. Ward recounted a horrifying experience when visiting Upton’s home, discovering her son’s body in a baby bouncer while Upton watched cartoons. “I realised it were Bleu and she [Upton] says: ‘Come in,we’re watching PJ Masks.’ There’s a cat scratcher in the corner and I can hear a dog barking and there was another [dead] baby on the sofa. It wasn’t a nice sight,” Ward told the BBC.
Mark Sewards, a Labor MP who has championed regulation in parliament, described the current situation as “unbelievable,” noting that England is an outlier among many western states. “When you’ve just lost a loved one you’re in one of the moast vulnerable situations in your life. In that vulnerable state you’re much more likely to agree to things and be open to exploitation,” he said.
The National Association of Funeral Directors and Co-op Funeralcare, the UK’s largest funeral provider, have suggested that the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) – currently responsible for overseeing organizations using human tissue – be granted oversight of England’s 4,500 funeral directors. However, expanding the HTA’s remit would require significant investment, as the non-departmental government body currently employs 57 staff and conducts approximately 220 inspections annually.
Ministers are also exploring the possibility of utilizing local authorities to conduct inspections, mirroring the health and safety checks performed on businesses like offices, shops, and restaurants.
Government Response Expected
Alex Davies-Jones, the victims minister, is expected to outline the government’s initial response to the Fuller inquiry in the coming weeks, with complete proposals for tighter regulations anticipated this summer.
A government spokesperson affirmed their commitment to addressing the issue, stating, “Our thoughts remain with the grieving families affected by this awful situation.They rightly expected their loved ones to be treated with dignity and respect. We are committed to taking action to ensure the highest standards are always met by funeral directors, and are now considering the full range of options to improve standards.”
