Death toll rises for want of firms

THE cost of funerals has risen 35% in ten years to an average of €3,900 due to a lack of competition between funeral firms.

According to consumer group UFC-Que Choisir, who carried out an investigation into the industry, prices can vary up to 713% between different agencies.

The group received quotes ranging from €1,586 to €10,248 for the same style of funeral.

In its magazine, the group said that with a growing market, (the number of deaths per year is expected to rise from 11,961 in 2006 to 569,000 by 2020 and 773,000 by 2050 according to government predictions) competition should be improved.

It said firms were taking advantage of the urgency of the situation where families wished to act quickly and were placed under a lot of stress.

Quotes were inaccurate and legal details were rarely presented, while unnecessary services were often included, the survey found.

Funeral groups who looked after bodies after a person had died in hospital were also taking unfair advantage of the situation, it said.

UFC-Que Choisir called for the system to be made more transparent.