Everyone knows that organising a funeral for a loved one now costs more than ever before. The recently bereaved can easily end up having to find £3,000–£5,000 or above, thanks to recent increases in the cost of things like cremation fees and burial plots.
This is manageable if the cost of the funeral can be defrayed against the deceased person’s estate. But what if their estate contained nothing of value? Then their next of kin usually have to find the money themselves, which can lead them into debt – all because of the perfectly reasonable desire to give someone they cared about a fitting send-off.
One successful firm of funeral directors has decided they should do more to make it easier for people on low incomes to pay for their loved-ones’ funerals. Bryan and Catherine Powell – founders of Powell and Family, funeral directors based in the West Midlands – have decided to create Britain’s first funeral directors run on the social enterprise model.
How does Powell and Family Direct work?
Their new social enterprise is called Powell and Family Direct. As a social enterprise, Powell and Family Direct is run on a not-for-profit basis – as their website says, they are “dedicated to making funerals better for every family and, in particular, to giving less well-off families a farewell they can feel proud of.”
They have bold plans to serve the needs of families across the Midlands who couldn’t otherwise afford a decent funeral, by providing simple, all-inclusive funeral packages at low rates.
Their website already advertises a complete funeral package which costs just £1,397, including all necessary fees. Customers are also able to upgrade parts of this funeral package, if they can afford to, choosing from a list of options which include more elaborate coffins and grander modes of transport.
What is the Social Enterprise Mark?
Despite having been established only recently, Powell and Family Direct has already received the highly-regarded Social Enterprise Mark, a sign of endorsement which shows the company has demonstrated a commitment to serving the needs of people and the planet above seeking profits.
It is awarded by the Social Enterprise Mark Company, which evaluates whether organisations meet the required criteria to hold the Social Enterprise Mark. Their representative, Lucy Findlay, had this to say about Powell and Family Direct:
“We heartily congratulate Powell and Family Direct CIC on having the vision to become the first funeral director to be awarded the Social Enterprise Mark. Not only have they spotted the perfect opportunity for the social enterprise model in the funeral sector, they are also helping people access decent funeral services which they otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford.”
To visit the website of Powell and Family Direct, please follow this link:
