Government offers protection to grieving families uder Code of Ethics

May 13, 2010




GRIEVING FAMILIES WILL BE PROTECTED UNDER NEW FUNERAL HOME CODE OF ETHICS: MACKINTOSH

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Province also Launches Review of Cemeteries Act, Prearranged Funeral Laws





Families now have greater protection when purchasing funeral and cremation services under the strengthened Funeral Directors and Embalmers Act, Family Services and Consumer Affairs Minister Gord Mackintosh announced today.



“For grieving families, there are immediate and often complex funeral arrangements to make at a time when they are most vulnerable,” said Mackintosh. “With these changes, which came into effect on Feb. 1, we have one of the strongest acts in Canada. It will help ensure transparency and accountability by funeral homes and remove the worry that families may be treated unfairly.”



Each year in Manitoba there are about 10,000 deaths. A mandatory and enforceable code of ethics now in effect requires that:

· itemized price lists in plain language are provided;

· remains cannot be withheld if payment is late;

· family confidentiality is maintained;

· family directions are followed;

· advertising is truthful and not misleading;

· a mandatory, 24-hour contract cancellation period is in place; and

· a family or independent adviser is present when a purchaser is a vulnerable person.



Regulations now require funeral directors provide consumers with clear, complete and consistent information about available supplies and services including an itemized statement of the supplies and services selected by the consumer and the cost for each, the minister said.



The code of ethics and regulations are backed up with a direction that funeral directors inform purchasers of their rights and the complaint process at an initial meeting.



The regulations also provide for a stronger range of remedies including fines, licence suspensions, the ability to assess hearing costs and a website (www.funeraldirectorsboard.mb.ca) where Manitobans can review information about hearings of disciplined funeral directors.



“The funeral homes we represent have always endeavoured to provide the highest quality service to those in need,” said Jody Nicholson, president, Manitoba Funeral Service Association. “These new regulations build upon that excellent record and will enhance our openness to the public.”



These changes are part of Let’s Make a Better Deal, Manitoba’s five-year consumer protection strategy. To see the strategy, go to www.manitoba.ca/fs/cca/cpo.



Mackintosh also announced that a review of the Cemeteries Act and the Prearranged Funeral Services Act is part of the consumer protection strategy. Manitobans are invited to provide advice or concerns by contacting the Public Utilities Board at 204-945-2638, 400 - 330 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3C 0C4 or publicutilities@gov.mb.ca.



For more information, consumers can contact the regulatory body for funeral directors and embalmers at the Board of Administration at 204-947-1098 or 254 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3C 0B6.



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