Gosport MP says Elkin and Bell case shows 'lawless wild west' funeral sector needs to regulate

Richard Elkin and Hayley Bell were jailed for four years last month after it was found they had kept 46 bodies in unrefrigerated conditions across an 18-month period at their premises on Nobes Avenue.

The “shocking” case has highlighted the lack of regulation in the funeral sector with no minimum standards to set up a parlour or qualifications required for practitioners.

Ms Dinenage led a debate in the House of Commons where she called for a full licensing regime of funeral directors, regular inspections, and minimum qualifications, as well as a clear plan from the government for how to deliver this.

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She said: “The case highlighted that the funeral sector is nothing better than a lawless Wild West. Elkin & Bell could only be brought to justice by some incredibly diligent work by Hampshire Police, the Crown Prosecution service and KC Jon Price, using offences including fraud, forgery and a piece of common law that dates back to Victorian times. The crime of preventing lawful and decent burial was dusted off from the days when it was used to convict grave robbers.

“Instead of what should have been possible…sentencing the pair because they had wilfully neglected the bodies in their care and treated them as nothing more than money spinners.”

Other Members of Parliament also raised concerns that work being done to regulate funeral directors and standardise the death pathway would fall through the cracks.

During the debate, the MP called for mandatory qualifications, accreditation and licensing for funeral directors. A robust inspection regime with a regulator empowered to withdraw licences and sanction wrongdoers.

She also said a new criminal offence of mistreatment of a body after death, replacing reliance on Victorian common law should be introduced, as well as DBS checks for all funeral technicians, embalmers and anyone else involved in the death pathway.

Responding to Caroline’s concerns, Health Minister Dr Zubir Ahmed MP said: “This is a complex and sensitive matter that requires careful and thoughtful consideration to safeguard the rights and dignity of those who have died, to support their bereaved families, and to ensure that any measures taken are proportionate, given that we are working with a number of small and medium-sized enterprises.

“The government is continuing to consider all options to ensure that high standards are upheld consistently across the funeral sector, and that includes the possibility of introducing suitable and proportionate regulation for funeral directors.”

Speaking after the debate Caroline said: “Warm words from the Minister are not enough, the industry trade bodies, reputable funeral businesses and impacted families are united in calls for this sector to be better trained, regulated and inspected.

“Otherwise the veil of suspicion falls over everyone, including the vast majority who operate with enormous care and professional integrity. I was pleased to see the support from across the House for meaningful change to happen urgently. We can’t wait for another heartbreaking scandal to hit the headlines before the government act.”