Visits have been made to all funeral directors the Bridlington area, the East Riding and Hull as a consequence of the on-going Humberside Police investigation into Beverley and Hull- based Legacy Independent Funeral Directors Ltd.
Public protection teams from both councils have spent the past three weeks speaking to funeral directors and carrying out visits to their premises.
Officers from both authorities made a total of 50 visits to review compliance with health and safety regulations, operational procedures and care of the deceased, and to offer support and advice to businesses.
While the sector is not formally regulated, the visits were an opportunity for the public protection officers to look at a number of key areas of funeral directors’ business and provide reassurance to both customers and businesses.
Angela Dearing, director of housing, transportation and public protection at East Riding of Yorkshire Council said: “We would like to thank all the funeral businesses for their cooperation, professionalism and for their support of these visits.
“There is currently no national statutory regulation of funeral directors, so councils don’t have specific powers or responsibilities to oversee these businesses.
“Therefore, these voluntary visits were conducted in partnership with funeral directors, in order to give reassurances to customers and our local funeral directors.”
The visits were supported by the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) and the National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF).
Vicky Barton, who is the Business Manager at Ernest Brigham and F.Kneeshaw & Sons, based on St John Street in Bridlington, explained: “The respectful and dignified care of deceased persons is our upmost priority, and we provide a very high standard of facilities in our mortuaries…
“Dignity, the owners of Ernest Brigham and F Kneeshaws and Sons, has consistently called for stronger regulation of the funeral sector.
“There is independent oversight of our premises through the Independent Funeral Standards Organisation (IFSO) and our business practices can be inspected by their team, without warning, at any time.
“We are also members of the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) and abide by their Code which included specific outcomes in respect of how the deceased are cared for. “added Vicky.
*Residents who have been affected by the recent incident and would like grief and bereavement support can visit the East Riding website: www.eastriding.gov.uk/information-and-support-legacy for information and signposting to local and national bereavement services, wellbeing support and community groups.
