Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Baroness Greengross (Crossbench). It was answered on Tuesday, 7 March 2006.

Funeral Services

Question: My Lords, is there some way the Minister could inform people or arrange that they are better informed about pre-paid funerals, which the noble Baroness, Lady Sharples, mentioned? We know that people on the lowest incomes tend to pay most for funerals proportionate to their income and that, especially now, with more people living on their own, many want to relieve their family of that burden, which is why they are going for pre-paid arrangements. If such arrangements were better known, many more might take advantage of that opportunity.

Answer: My Lords, I agree with the noble Baroness. That is an area where the OFT is working with consumers to provide a code. Issues like pre-payment are very relevant. The OFT also publishes on its website advice to consumers about funerals.

Secondary information