This month we have a bumper crop of news stories from around the UK. This time we look at the funeral prices war, funeral debt, Hospice Care Week, care quality offered by funeral homes, the winners of the Good Funeral Award winners and Aretha Franklin’s funeral.
Hospice Care Week, a campaign to raise awareness of hospice care throughout the UK, takes place on the 8th - 14th October this year.
The entire week is devoted to praising the hardworking hospice and palliative care staff, encouraging people to sign up as volunteers and inviting people to donate. Fundraisers are also encouraged to follow a yellow colour scheme for their fundraising efforts: for example ‘Hook a Duck’, a yellow bake sale and wearing yellow to work.
This year’s official theme is “Heart my hospice” - which is very fitting as at huunuu we are big advocates of hospice / palliative care. We’re also supporters for the NHS and believe in building strong relationships. Just one example is The Whittington NHS Trust - we help out at their events, provide resources and much more!
Keep an eye out for our blogs on hospice care next week and don’t forget to use the hashtag #HeartMyHospice on social media! For more information on Hospice Care Week check out the Hospice UK website.
Funeral costs have increased by 4.7% compared to last year, with the average funeral expected to cost £4,271 according to a survey by SunLife.
Those who didn’t have funeral plans or savings set aside typically cost their families around £2,559. With 18 million people feeling uncomfortable about talking about death, it’s no wonder some people don’t have plans in place. What we need to do is start making it more acceptable to talk about death - after all, it happens to all of us.
Of course, it isn’t just the responsibility of the individual - the industry itself should also take notice of these figures. Cremation fees are rising and they account for 75% of all funeral costs. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) are to look into the rising costs of cremation fees in a bid to crackdown on high prices and funeral debt.
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Co-op is prepared to undercut any other funeral provider’s prices and will be lowering the cost of the ‘affordable funeral’ option to £1,895 in England and Wales.
The move follows the results of a survey conducted by the organisation, called Making Peace With Death revealing that four million people in the UK suffer from funeral poverty.
Robert Maclachlan, managing director of Co-op Funeralcare, commented: “The fact that four million Brits have suffered financial hardship after a bereavement is startling. As a member owned organisation, the changes we are making form part of a long term focus we have on leading the market to further assist the bereaved in tackling funeral affordability.”
It’s heartening to see the big leagues are finally starting to tackle funeral poverty - although there’s a long journey ahead to ensure those on lower incomes can have a funeral that reflects their final wishes without going into debt.
Find out how huunuu helps people avoid being taken advantage of when it comes to planning funerals:
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Last month the world celebrated the life and achievements of Aretha Franklin. What’s even more touching is the Queen of Soul was transported in Rosa Parks’ hearse!
The entire city of Detroit, Aretha’s hometown, went into a week of mourning before the official funeral. Her gold casket was transported in an ivory 1940s Cadillac LaSalle - also used for the funerals of Aretha’s father and civil rights heroine Rosa Parks. The hearse is owned by Swanson Funeral Home, run by Franklin’s family friend O’Neil D. Swanson II.
The funeral itself was the perfect tribute to Aretha, with performance by Stevie Wonder and Ariana Grande. Swanson drove the hearse for the funeral and said it was a “privilege.”
The Good Funeral Awards has announced the winners of the 2018 ceremony. Touted as the ‘Oscars’ of the funeral industry, the award ceremony celebrates the best of the best when it comes to suppliers, ministers, celebrants, resources and much more. Here are just a few of the categories and the winners...
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