A series of reassurance visits to local funeral directors has been completed by Horsham District Council, giving residents peace of mind that their deceased loved ones are treated with utmost care and dignity.
The visits came after concerns were raised regarding care of the deceased by a funeral director with premises in Hull and East Riding. The Ministry of Justice subsequently wrote to all councils asking them to undertake reassurance visits to all funeral directors in their area.
All funeral directors of Horsham District were visited and assessed in accordance with Government Guidance focussing on standards which included care of the deceased and record keeping. Officers visiting the premises, were welcomed by the funeral directors and no concerns were found at any of the premises during these visits.
The industry whilst currently unregulated, has industry bodies; the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD), and the Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF),who require members to agree to a strict Code of Practice. All funeral directors within the Horsham District are members of one or both of these industry bodies.
Horsham District Council Cabinet Member for Environment, Recycling and Waste Cllr Jay Mercer said:
With the sector being largely unregulated and there being no statutory inspection regimes like those we maintain for restaurants and licensed premises, there were concerns within The Ministry of Justice that the issues discovered in Hull and East Riding could be happening elsewhere.
I am really pleased and reassured to know that all funeral directors operating within our District are achieving the high standards expected by bereaved families and friends and required by the industry.
It is important that local residents feel reassured that when choosing a funeral director, they can do so with confidence at such a difficult time in their lives.
The review findings have been reported back to the Ministry of Justice, who are developing requirements for the future.