The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has sent this letter to James Henry Funeral Services regarding its breach of the Funerals Market Investigation Order 2021 (‘the Order’).
The Order was made under the market investigations provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002.
The Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) funerals market investigation identified a number of concerns with the sector, including that prices for similar services differed between funeral directors and the way that information was provided made it hard for families to compare prices and choose the right combination of services. This Order introduces a range of new legal obligations on funeral directors and crematorium operators to tackle the problems identified by the CMA.
The CMA’s concerns centre on the funeral director of James Henry Funeral Services failure to provide adequate price information on their website, despite repeated reminders over an eight-month period.
The Order was introduced to increase transparency in the funerals market, ensuring that funeral directors provide clear and accessible pricing for consumers. This transparency helps grieving families compare prices and make informed choices during a vulnerable time. Key obligations include publishing a Standardised Price List, an Additional Options Price List, and local crematoria pricing.
While the funeral director has since made some updates, including adding crematoria pricing and terms of business, other key information remains missing. The CMA has given the company three weeks to fully comply or face further enforcement action.
The CMA stressed that transparency is critical for consumers, especially when arranging funerals, and non-compliance undermines their ability to make informed decisions. The authority remains committed to ensuring all funeral directors across the UK adhere to the legal obligations outlined in the Order.
