CMA consults on referring funeral services for in-depth market review

The Competition and Markets Authority has published its interim findings on its market study into the supply of funerals in the UK.  It is consulting on whether to make a market investigation into the supply of funeral director and crematoria services.

The CMA is concerned that various features of the market prevent, restrict or distort competition including customers' vulnerability and difficulty in engaging at the point of need and unresponsiveness to indicators of price and quality.

The possible reference comes at a time of increasing regulatory scrutiny of the funeral services sector.  In July the government issued a call for evidence in relation to the pre-paid funeral sector, including, potentially, the impact of additional regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority.

The CMA invites views on whether it should exercise its discretion to make a market investigation reference by 4 January 2019.