Funeral Directors: Regulatory Regime
Debate between Baroness Merron and Lord Archbishop of York(3 weeks, 3 days ago)
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The Archbishop of York
To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to establish a regulatory regime for funeral directors.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Care (Baroness Merron) (Lab)
My Lords, the Government laid a Written Ministerial Statement on 1 September confirming that detailed proposals for formal regulation of the funeral sector are being developed. The Department of Health and Social Care is leading this work with the Ministry of Justice and other departments, working closely with bereaved families, funeral providers, faith groups, local authorities and others.
The Archbishop of York
In thanking the Minister for her response, I pay tribute to those affected by the terrible failures in Hull, where I serve, and to the clergy and local community services that have supported the bereaved. I welcome proposals for regulation; what happened in Hull must never happen again. I therefore ask the Minister: when will the department set out further details on the timeline for these proposals and their implementation? Mindful that many of those who suffered in Hull were those least able to afford a funeral for their loved ones, I ask also whether questions of cost and its links to bereavement also be considered.
Baroness Merron (Lab)
I also want to express my sorrow and support for those who are so deeply affected. Those who have died cannot speak, so it is left to the rest of us to speak for them. In this case, terrible tragedies were put in the path of proper grieving and understanding about loss. I very much want to associate myself with that and to say that all the matters that the most reverend Primate refers to will be considered. We have already accepted the majority of the 75 recommendations from the Fuller inquiry, but obviously the Written Ministerial Statement says how much further we are going to go. When I am able to update on timelines, I will be glad to do so.