Dr Luke Evans, Member of Parliament for Bosworth, has secured a meeting with Justice Minister and Joseph Barsby from G. Seller in Hinckley to discuss funeral services and ways to improve the system.
In a question in the House of Commons, Dr Luke asked Justice Minister to meet with him and G. Seller following concerns raised in Parliament about the adequacy of legislation on cremation in light of the unfolding horror story coming out of Hull.
This comes after detectives believe they have identified all 35 bodies recovered at a funeral directors in Hull, which is at the centre of an on going police investigation. Humberside Police said it has received more than 1,500 calls from people concerned about their loved ones' remains. Few details about the investigation have been revealed but police said they had "concern for care of the deceased".
The GP-turned-MP initially asked Minister Mike Freer for his assessment on existing legislation after two people were arrested at a funeral directors in Hull. Mike Freer, Under-Secretary of State for Justice, said “The primary legislation on cremation dates back to 1902, and in the light of developments since then, I believe that a more comprehensive review is needed.
“That is why the Law Commission has agreed to consider the law governing cremation as part of its project on burial, cremation and new funerary methods.”
Dr Luke Evans, Member of Parliament for Bosworth, responded with a follow up question to the Minister “I am grateful for the Minister’s answer. Obviously, given what is going on in Hull, there are great concerns. I know that the Minister cannot speak directly about that issue because of the investigation, but there is no formal regulation of funeral directors on these issues.
“Joseph Barsby, the managing director at G. Seller — a much-loved local funeral director that is at the forefront of funeral facilities in Hinckley — is very concerned, because G. Seller wants to lead, not be tarnished by being sucked into problems in the industry.
“Will the Minister meet with Joseph to discuss ways in which we can improve the system? Failing that, will there be a way for funeral directors to feed in information and ideas on how to improve the system?”
Mike Freer, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice, said “The Member for Bosworth makes a very good point. The Department has already started work on a call for evidence on where we go with the regulation of the funeral director sector; that will be issued shortly.
“I am more than happy to ensure that the views of any funeral director are fed in, and, of course, to meet with the firm in his constituency.”
The meeting is scheduled in the early May and will look to feed in best practice developed by G.Sellers, right here in Hinckley.
