Funeral Directors: Regulatory Regime

Lord Kamall Excerpts

Wednesday 9th September 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

My noble friend endorses the point that I made earlier, which I know the House recognises: that the majority of funeral providers, even within the current set-up, are providing a first-rate service that encourages trust as well as respect and service. However, because of these terrible circumstances, we have to act to protect people. I say to my noble friend that we are working very closely with funeral providers to get it right, so that they can do the work they need to do without undue burden, but with protection for those whom they are working for.

[Lord Kamall (Con)]

My Lords, I associate these Benches with the comments that were made about the poor people and their families who had to suffer in Hull. The most reverend Primate spoke about the impact on local communities and how legislation should consider costs. Given this, do the Government intend to ensure that smaller independent funeral directors—most of which, as the Minister said, do an amazing job in helping families through a very difficult time of bereavement, and which serve many of our communities with great care—are properly involved in shaping these reforms, and that it is not just the bigger companies and organisations that are involved? What steps will be taken to guarantee that any new requirements are proportionate and do not place unsustainable extra burdens on providers, while of course avoiding a repeat of the scandal that we saw in this case?

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

This is the way that we are conducting ourselves. It would be a bit premature to draw conclusions on any funding requirements—we are, of course, talking about private businesses. However, we are looking—as we always do, but particularly in this area—at the costs, benefits and the impacts of different approaches before decisions are taken. Within that, we are working with the full range of funeral providers and not just the large funeral providers.