The Minister for Better Regulation, Kevin Anderson, has announced that new rules relating to the purchase of funeral goods and services are now in force.
Mr Anderson said the new arrangements, which require greater price transparency for consumers, took effect last week (2 September).
He said the new regulations would provide greater price clarity for consumers at a time that is often considered one of the most difficult, and allows them to compare like-for-like services across the funeral industry.
“Planning a funeral is an emotional and stressful time,” Mr Anderson said.
“During the consultation, customers told us that they want to be able to make informed decisions quickly and as accurately as possible by having greater price transparency online where they can consider their options in private,” he said.
“Under the new regulations, when planning a funeral for a loved one, you can spend less time worrying about the fees and charges, and more time working with your chosen funeral director to create a service that allows family and friends to feel supported in their grief.”
Mr Anderson said the new regulations included an expanded funeral goods and services information standard which would enable customers to compare prices for products and services, as well as disclosing whether mortuary or cremation services were managed by an external supplier.
He said the information standard applied to all businesses and individuals who carry out the services of a funeral director.
He said the new information standard would commence on 1 February 2020 to allow businesses the opportunity to transition over to the new requirements.
