In reply to an adjournment debate on the regulation of the funerals industry on 9 March, initiated by Dame Caroline Dinenange (Gosport, Con), the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Dr Zubir Ahmed, noted that recent cases, though rare, had revealed serious weaknesses in the present system of regulation:

“Unacceptable and distressing incidents, such as bodies being stored or treated in ways that cause deep anguish, were able to occur. In some instances, the police lacked the powers they needed to act. In the case of Elkin and Bell, the two funeral directors in the hon. Lady’s constituency, charges included intentionally or recklessly causing a public nuisance, the common law offence of preventing the lawful and decent burial of a body, and carrying on a business with intent to defraud creditors or another fraudulent purpose.” Continue reading →