England's funeral sector to be regulated amid horror cases

A decision on regulating England's funeral industry for the first time will be made by summer. This move comes after numerous scandals involving the improper handling of human remains, including the distressing experiences of families whose babies' bodies were retained by funeral directors. Leeds South West and Morley MP Mark Sewards highlighted these cases, emphasizing the lack of dignity afforded to the deceased. Minister Alison McGovern confirmed the government's commitment to decide on statutory regulation.

Concerns were further amplified by an unconnected case in Mansfield, where a deceased father's body was found to have decomposed significantly while in the care of a local funeral home. The Fuller Inquiry, launched after horrific abuse of bodies in Kent mortuaries, concluded that current arrangements in England's funeral sector are inadequate. The inquiry recommended the creation of an independent regulator, a call the government is now carefully considering to balance public assurance with the needs of over 6,500 funeral providers.