# Funeral regulation in the UK: what's covered, what's changing and how to complain

> UK funeral directors must publish prices under the CMA's Funerals Market Investigation Order, and funeral plans have been regulated by the FCA since 29 July 2022. Scotland has had a statutory code and inspections for funeral directors since 1 March 2025. England, Wales and Northern Ireland have no funeral director regulator, but the Government announced plans on 31 July 2026.

Source: https://funeralfinder.org/uk/guides/funeral-regulation-uk/ — updated 2026-09-25 — FuneralFinder

Most families assume funeral directors are licensed like doctors or solicitors. In most of the UK, they aren't, although that is starting to change. This guide explains which parts of the funeral world are regulated today, what differs between the four nations, what the Government announced in July 2026, and how to complain if something goes wrong.

## Key points

- **Price transparency rules apply UK-wide.** Every funeral director must publish a Standardised Price List under a 2021 CMA Order.
- **Funeral plans are regulated by the FCA** and have been since 29 July 2022.
- **Scotland has a statutory code of practice** and inspections for all funeral directors, in force since 1 March 2025.
- **England, Wales and Northern Ireland have no funeral director regulator.** Standards rely on consumer law and voluntary trade association membership.
- **On 31 July 2026 the Government announced plans** to develop proposals including regulation of the funeral sector.
- **Complain first to the firm**, then the trade association, the Scottish inspectors or consumer advice services.

## What's regulated where

| Area | England and Wales | Scotland | Northern Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funeral director prices | CMA Order | CMA Order | CMA Order |
| Funeral plans | FCA | FCA | FCA |
| Funeral director standards | Voluntary trade association codes | **Statutory code and inspectors** | Voluntary trade association codes |
| Crematoria and cemeteries | Burial and cremation law; CMA price rules for crematoria | Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Act 2016; inspectors; CMA price rules for crematoria | Burial and cremation law; CMA price rules for crematoria |
| Water cremation (hydrolysis) | No specific regulations | Regulations in force from 2 March 2026 | No specific regulations |

## Price transparency: the CMA Order

After a market investigation, the Competition and Markets Authority made the **Funerals Market Investigation Order 2021**, which applies across the UK. Funeral directors must:

- show a **Standardised Price List** in the exact CMA format, in branch and on their website, **no more than one click from the home page**
- give an **attended funeral** price, broken into six set items plus a total, and an **unattended funeral** price
- show other charges such as extra mileage, additional transfers, embalming and collecting or delivering ashes
- publish **terms of business**, including deposits and late-payment charges
- disclose **who ultimately owns the business** and any links to price comparison websites.

They must not seek business while acting for a coroner or the police, or offer inducements to hospitals, hospices or care homes for referrals. Crematorium operators must publish their prices too. See [how to choose a funeral director](/uk/guides/how-to-choose-a-funeral-director/) for how to use the price list.

## Funeral plans and the FCA

Since **29 July 2022**, funeral plan providers must be **authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority**. If a provider is authorised:

- you can take an unresolved complaint to the **Financial Ombudsman Service**
- you may be protected by the **Financial Services Compensation Scheme** if the firm goes out of business.

Check a provider on the FCA's Firm Checker. If you can't find a relative's plan provider, the National Association of Funeral Plan Providers runs a tracing service for its members' plans. See [funeral plans](/uk/guides/funeral-plans/).

## Scotland: a statutory code and inspectors

Scotland is the only UK nation with statutory standards for funeral directors. Under the **Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Act 2016**:

- The **Funeral Director Code of Practice** has applied since **1 March 2025** to every funeral director working in Scotland, wherever the business is based.
- It sets minimum standards for care of the deceased, premises, identification, estimates and complaints.
- **Inspectors of Burial, Cremation, Hydrolysis and Funeral Directors** inspect businesses and investigate serious or significant complaints.
- Every funeral director must have a **written complaints procedure**, and must tell the inspectors within **48 hours** of a complaint about a breach of the code or the care of the deceased.
- A **Funeral Sector Register** lists businesses in the sector.

**Water cremation (hydrolysis)** has been lawful in Scotland since the **Hydrolysis (Scotland) Regulations** came into force on **2 March 2026**. The Scottish Government says it is not yet widely available.

## England and Wales: what's changing

There is currently **no statutory regulator** for funeral directors in England and Wales. On **31 July 2026**, following the sentencing of a Hull funeral director for offences including preventing lawful burials and fraud, the Government announced that:

- the **Department of Health and Social Care** will lead cross-government work, with the **Ministry of Justice** and the **Law Commission**
- it will develop **detailed proposals to raise standards, including regulation of the funeral sector**, in discussion with funeral operators, faith groups, bereaved families and others
- the **Law Commission** will review the criminal law relating to the deceased and recommend any new offences needed.

No timetable or details have been published yet. **For now, nothing changes for families**: the protections below still apply. We'll update this guide as proposals appear.

## Northern Ireland

The CMA Order and FCA rules on funeral plans apply in Northern Ireland, but there is no statutory code or inspection regime for funeral directors. As in England and Wales, choosing a trade association member gives you access to a code of practice and a complaints process.

## Trade associations

The two main trade associations have adopted a single **UK Funeral Director Code**, aligned with Scotland's statutory code:

- **NAFD (National Association of Funeral Directors):** members are inspected against the code. Complaints from clients of member firms are handled through **NAFD Resolve**.
- **SAIF (National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors):** members follow the code and are inspected. SAIF says families have access to an independent complaints and redress process, certified by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute.

Membership is voluntary, so not every funeral director belongs. Ask, and check on the association's website.

## How to complain

1. **Raise it with the funeral director**, ideally in writing. Ask for their complaints procedure.
2. **Go to the trade association** if the firm is a member of NAFD or SAIF.
3. **In Scotland, contact the inspectors** by emailing funeralsectorri@gov.scot.
4. **For a funeral plan**, complain to the provider, then the **Financial Ombudsman Service**.
5. **Get consumer advice.** In England and Wales, call the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on **0808 223 1133**; it can pass complaints to Trading Standards. In Scotland, contact **Advice Direct Scotland** (consumeradvice.scot). In Northern Ireland, contact **Consumerline**.
6. **If you think a crime has been committed**, such as mistreatment of the deceased or fraud, contact the police.

Keep copies of estimates, invoices, emails and notes of phone calls.

## Protecting yourself now

- Compare **Standardised Price Lists** and get a written estimate.
- Check **who owns** the business and whether it belongs to a **trade association**.
- For a plan, check **FCA authorisation**.
- Ask how and where the person will be cared for, and whether you can visit.
- Don't feel rushed. If you're unhappy, you can usually move the person to a different funeral director, although you may have to pay for work already done.

## Next steps

- [How to choose a funeral director](/uk/guides/how-to-choose-a-funeral-director/)
- [Funeral plans](/uk/guides/funeral-plans/)
- [Funeral costs](/uk/funeral-costs/)
- Find [independent funeral directors](/uk/independent-funeral-directors/) or [funeral directors near you](/uk/funeral-directors-near-me/)

## Frequently asked questions

### Are funeral directors regulated in England?

Not by a dedicated regulator yet. They must follow consumer law and the CMA's price transparency rules, and many choose to join a trade association with its own code and inspections. On 31 July 2026 the Government announced it will develop proposals including regulation of the funeral sector, but no timetable has been set.

### Who regulates funeral directors in Scotland?

Scottish Government-appointed Inspectors of Burial, Cremation, Hydrolysis and Funeral Directors. Since 1 March 2025, every funeral director operating in Scotland must follow a statutory Funeral Director Code of Practice, and the inspectors can inspect premises and investigate serious complaints.

### How do I complain about a funeral director?

Start with the funeral director's own complaints procedure and put your complaint in writing. If that doesn't resolve it, go to their trade association if they belong to one, to the inspectors in Scotland, or to Citizens Advice or your local consumer advice service, which can refer cases to Trading Standards.

### Are funeral plans regulated?

Yes. Since 29 July 2022, funeral plan providers must be authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. With an authorised provider you can complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service and may be protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme if the firm fails.

### What must a funeral director's price list show?

Under the CMA Order, a Standardised Price List with an attended funeral price broken into set items, an unattended funeral price, and other fees such as extra mileage and embalming. It must be shown in branch and on the website, no more than one click from the home page.

### What should I do if I suspect someone has been mistreated after death?

Contact the police. In Scotland you can also contact the Inspectors of Funeral Directors. If the firm belongs to NAFD or SAIF, tell the association too. Bereavement charities can support you through what is a very distressing experience.

## Sources

- [GOV.UK – Government takes action to crack down on rogue funeral operators (31 July 2026)](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-takes-action-to-crack-down-on-rogue-funeral-operators)
- [GOV.UK – Funerals Market Investigation Order 2021](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/funerals-market-investigation-order-2021)
- [GOV.UK – CMA compliance checklist for funeral directors](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-with-the-funerals-market-investigation-order/compliance-checklist-for-funeral-directors)
- [FCA – Funeral plans: check your provider is authorised](https://www.fca.org.uk/consumers/funeral-plans)
- [gov.scot – Funeral Director Code of Practice](https://www.gov.scot/publications/funeral-director-code-practice-2/)
- [gov.scot – Burial, cremation, hydrolysis and death certification](https://www.gov.scot/policies/death-and-end-of-life/burial-cremation-and-death-certification/)
- [Scottish Government blog – Commencement of regulations on 1 March 2025](https://blogs.gov.scot/funeral-industry/2025/02/14/update-on-commencement-of-regulations-on-1-march-2025-and-associated-work/)
- [legislation.gov.uk – The Hydrolysis (Scotland) (No. 1) Regulations 2026](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2026/50/made)
- [NAFD – Professional standards and complaints](https://nafd.org.uk/professional-standards/)
- [SAIF – Code of Practice (March 2026)](https://saif.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/SAIF-Code-of-Practice-March-2026.pdf)
- [Citizens Advice – Contact the consumer service](https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/get-more-help/if-you-need-more-help-about-a-consumer-issue/)