The release of the Fuller Report this week, following the tragic and shocking revelations of appalling behaviour within a hospital mortuary, has highlighted an important and often overlooked issue: how we physically care for people after they have died. One of the report’s strongest recommendations is the introduction of regulation within the funeral industry, particularly around how bodies are cared for and kept safe by funeral directors.

At Full Circle Funerals and Partners, we fully support this call for regulation. Many people believe that the funeral industry is already subject to independent inspection and oversight, with safeguards in place to ensure minimum standards of care and dignity. However, in my experience, the public is often horrified to learn that this is not the case. There are currently no regulatory requirements or inspections to guarantee that funeral directors meet any specific standard of care.

Having worked in highly regulated industries before, I understand that regulation is not without its challenges. If not implemented properly, it can create bureaucratic hurdles and unnecessary complexity. However, regulation is critical to establish a baseline of care that all funeral directors must meet. It would protect people who have died and provide much-needed assurance to their families and friends

Beyond setting minimum standards, regulation can also pave the way for continuous improvement, offering a roadmap for what excellent funeral care should look like. This could lead to better training, improved facilities, and higher levels of transparency across the industry. Funeral care is an incredibly sensitive area, and it is essential that those responsible for it are held to a consistent and accountable standard.

Of course, the government has a lot on its plate. There are many pressing issues that demand attention. But we hope that this matter is seen as important enough to make it onto the priority list. After all, how we care for people in death reflects our values as a society. It’s time for the funeral industry to be brought in line with the expectations of the public and the dignity of those we care for.

If you have any questions, or there is anything that you would like to chat through then please get in touch – these conversations matter – [email protected]

Sarah x