Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether her Department is taking steps to help ensure that funeral companies make their complaints policies and procedures clear to all customers.

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 gives consumers rights to redress and refunds including when businesses cancel services that have been agreed.

The Competition and Markets Authority recently carried out a market investigation into the funerals sector to ensure these rules were being observed. They have issued guidance to businesses in the sector on their obligations to consumers. Details can be found at: https://competitionandmarkets.blog.gov.uk/2023/01/27/helping-businesses-comply-with-the-funerals-order/.

Consumers can seek free advice on their rights from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 0808 223 1133 (www.citizensadvice.org.uk/). The Financial Conduct Authority regulates prepaid funeral plans. Details can be found at: https://www.fca.org.uk/news/press-releases/fca-regulation-boosts-consumer-protection-funeral-plans-market.