The Funeral Industry Reformed Association (FIRA) has raised concerns about alleged exclusive arrangements between some private hospitals and funeral parlours, warning that the practice could undermine consumer choice and leave grieving families facing unexpected costs.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the association said it had received reports that certain private hospitals without their own mortuary facilities were relying exclusively on a single funeral parlour to remove and temporarily store the bodies of deceased patients.
According to FIRA, there are also allegations that paperwork relating to the removal of deceased persons is, in some cases, completed in favour of a particular funeral service provider before families have been given an opportunity to choose a funeral parlour themselves.
The organisation said such practices could create the perception that hospitals are favouring specific funeral businesses at the expense of bereaved families.
“Families should be informed that they have the right to appoint a funeral service provider of their own choosing, and hospitals should ensure that this choice is respected and facilitated,” the association said.
The concerns centre on what FIRA believes could be an unfair advantage granted to a single funeral parlour while limiting the options available to consumers during a highly emotional and vulnerable period.
The association warned that exclusive removal arrangements may also have financial consequences for families.
Where a hospital-appointed funeral parlour removes and stores a deceased person, relatives who later decide to use another funeral provider may be required to pay additional transfer and storage fees. According to FIRA, these costs could often be avoided if families were informed of their rights from the outset.
The association acknowledged that some healthcare facilities may not have adequate mortuary infrastructure and therefore need to rely on external service providers to ensure that deceased persons are treated with dignity and stored appropriately.
However, FIRA argued that such operational arrangements should not result in families being financially disadvantaged.
“Families should not be financially prejudiced because of arrangements made by institutions over which they have no control,” the organisation said.
Another major concern raised by the association is the lack of transparency regarding the whereabouts of deceased persons after they have been removed from healthcare facilities.
FIRA said many families are not informed where their loved ones are being held for safekeeping, creating unnecessary distress at an already difficult time.
The organisation believes hospitals should provide clear information to next of kin regarding where the deceased has been taken, the reasons for the transfer and any procedures that may follow.
To address disputes relating to removals and storage fees, FIRA has called on funeral industry stakeholders to develop transparent flat-rate agreements that would regulate costs when bodies are transferred between funeral parlours.
The association argues that such measures would help prevent excessive charges, reduce disputes and protect consumers from unexpected financial burdens.
FIRA also renewed its call for the establishment of an independent Funeral Industry Ombudsman to oversee complaints and mediate disputes between consumers, hospitals and funeral service providers.
According to the organisation, bereaved families currently have limited avenues for recourse when disagreements arise.
The association said an ombudsman would provide independent oversight, promote accountability and help ensure fair treatment throughout the industry.
FIRA has urged authorities to assess whether the alleged practices comply with the Consumer Protection Act, particularly provisions relating to fair business practices and the right of consumers to choose their preferred service provider.
It has also encouraged families to ask questions about removal arrangements and insist on their right to select a funeral parlour that aligns with their financial circumstances, cultural traditions and religious beliefs.
“Protecting the dignity of the deceased and safeguarding the rights of bereaved families must remain at the centre of all funeral-related services,” the association said.
