Code of practice for funeral plans
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Your support makes all the difference.THE FUNERAL Planning Council, one of the trade bodies for funeral directors, has introduced a code of practice for its members with the aim of ensuring that consumers get a full refund if they cancel their plans, writes Caroline Merrell.
The code has been introduced following concerns about pre-paid funeral plans.
It aims to ensure the security of cash invested in trust funds used to pay for funerals. The rules will mean that funds for pre-paid funeral plans are kept completely separate from the funeral planning company's own accounts.
The FPC also aims to increase the established network of funeral directors thoughout the UK, which will give consumers a greater choice.
The other trade body for funeral directors, the National Association for Pre-Paid Funeral Plans, has also introduced a code of practice, without a requirement for a full refund to be given.
The Office of Fair Trading is investigating the funding of pre-paid funeral plans. It has concerns over the safety of consumers' cash held by the funeral planning companies.
Companies that break the FPC's code can be fined or expelled from the organisation. The Co-op and Golden Charter are the two members of the Funeral Planning Council, while Dignity and Chosen Heritage are members of the NAPFP.
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