Content Warning: This article contains distressing content regarding child/baby loss and unethical handling of the deceased.
Recent troubling events involving a funeral director in Leeds last month have shone a light on the urgent need for regulation of the funeral industry in the UK. This BBC article (Mum's anger after funeral director keeps baby's body at home) about the incident reveals how a funeral director engaged in unethical practices after promising bereaved parents she would arrange their babies’ funerals.
The funeral industry is unregulated in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, which may concern consumers who may not know how to find a trustworthy local funeral director.
Learn how to find and compare trusted local funeral directors on The Farewell Guide with our support guide here.
In this guide we will cover:
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Why a troubling incident involving a funeral director emphasizes the need for regulation.
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Why regulating the funeral industry is important.
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How you can protect yourself from unethical funeral directors.
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How to choose a trustworthy local funeral director from The Farewell Guide.
Why a Troubling Incident Involving A Funeral Director Emphasizes the Need For Regulation
The recent news regarding an unregulated funeral director’s unethical practices has emphasized the need for regulation of the funeral industry in the UK.
The following practices are not currently regulated in England, Wales or Northern Ireland:
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How and where bodies should be kept.
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The temperature at which bodies must be stored.
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If bodies can be moved from a funeral parlor to a different location.
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Clear and honest communication with the family of the deceased.
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Whether families are able to visit their loved one in the funeral director’s premises.
These violations understandably left families feeling upset, misled, and feeling as though their loved ones had not been cared for with the dignity and respect they deserved.
Why Funeral Industry Regulations Are Important
Funeral regulations outline a strict code of conduct for the care of the deceased and premises used by the funeral director. This includes safe handling and storage of bodies, high standards of cleanliness in the premises where bodies are kept, and clear and honest communication with the family at each step of delivery of funeral services.
According to Scotland’s Funeral Director Code of Practice that went into effect in March 2025, funeral directors must also inform families if any part of the funeral services will be carried out by a third party.
The funeral industry is not regulated in England, Wales or Northern Ireland but funeral directors can voluntarily choose to become members of two funeral directors’ associations - National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) or The National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF) - that both require members to adhere to a joint code of conduct and regular inspections.
The funeral director in question was not a member of either the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) or The National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF). They were not obligated to follow any funeral director code of conduct whatsoever during the eight years their funeral service business was operational.
Learn more about the UK’s funeral directors associations here: How Funeral Directors are Regulated in the UK
How You Can Protect Yourself From Unethical Funeral Directors
We understand that news about unethical funeral directors can be worrying. We believe that every family deserves the right to arrange a funeral for their loved one with the utmost care and dignity.
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Choose a funeral director from The Farewell Guide.
Every funeral director in The Farewell Guide’s directory goes through a vetting process when they sign up. We ensure that they are a member of one of the UK’s funeral directors’ associations (NAFD or SAIF), assess their Google reviews from real clients, and crosscheck their details with Companies House to certify their accounts are in order. We highly recommend choosing a local, independent funeral director from our directory. It’s completely free, and you can easily compare funeral directors to find one that best matches your needs. The Farewell Guide also offers customer support. Find a trusted local funeral director here.
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Compare funeral directors.
Statistics show that 83% of people go with the first funeral director they find. However, we recommend that consumers take the time to compare funeral directors using our comparison tool. You can filter funeral directors by budget or location, and compare services offered to choose one that best matches your needs. Read our comprehensive guide to comparing funeral directors here.
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Ask questions.
You are well within your rights to ask your funeral director as many questions as you like about their pricing, services, premises, and how they will be caring for your loved one.
Some suggested questions include:
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Will I be able to visit my loved one in the funeral parlour?
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Can we see your premises before deciding?
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Will my loved one be kept in a chapel of rest until the funeral service?
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Will any third party services be involved at any point?
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Who will be our main point of contact while arranging the funeral?
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Are you a member of NAFD or SAIF?
How to choose a trustworthy local funeral director from The Farewell Guide.
The Farewell Guide has a number of comprehensive support guides for protecting yourself when arranging a funeral in the UK. We recommend reading our guides before you choose a funeral director, arrange a funeral, or pay for a prepaid funeral plan.
Further Support Guides
How To Choose a Funeral Director
Changing an unregulated funeral industry
How To Protect Yourself When Using A Funeral Director
Prepaid Funeral Plans: How They Are Regulated and How We Help You Stay Safe
Funeral Scams in the UK: How to Spot and Avoid Them
Why Don't People Shop Around for Funeral Directors?
The Farewell Guide was started by our CEO Rebecca Peach to offer free, compassionate support to anyone looking to arrange a funeral for themselves or a loved one. Protecting families from unethical funeral directors is extremely important to us, and we are constantly working towards keeping consumers safe and changing the way the funeral industry is regulated in the UK.
For more information or support, please Contact Us directly.