The National Association of Funeral Directors, in its magazine Funeral Director (May '96), reports an extraordinarily high failure rate on the part of its members to obey the Association's code, despite repeated published pleas from the Association, condemnations in the Natural Death Handbook, Which? magazine, etc.
In 172 inspections of member firms during 1995, they found that
- 11 per cent failed to display the Association logo.
- 13.9% failed to have readily available a written price list.
- 15.7% failed to provide written confirmation of funeral arrangements.
- 8.7% failed to provide written estimates.
- 4.6% failed to provide a specification of a basic funeral.
- 32.5% failed to display a price list.
- 35.4% failed to display the Code of Practice Principles.
Members of the public are advised to beware of Association firms which fail in any of the above categories. Complaints can be made to the Association, although these do not seem to be always handled to the satisfaction of the public. But for real and substantial financial redress, where warranted, the most effective route may be to take out a small claim in your local county court for negligence or breach of contract.
National Association of Funeral Directors, 618 Warwick Road, Solihull, West Midlands B91 1AA (tel 0121 711 1343).
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