CIEH holding statement in response to government letter on funeral homes inspections

CIEH have been made aware of a letter circulated by the Ministry of Justice and the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to Chief Executives and Leaders of local authorities in England in response to an incident at Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull and East Riding. The letter strongly encourages local authorities to inspect funeral homes to ensure compliance with standards in relation to the treatment of deceased people, placing the responsibility for doing so on Environmental Health teams. The letter also mentions the possibility of developing a regulatory framework in this area in the long-term. CIEH, as the professional membership body representing environmental health professionals in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, will work alongside relevant stakeholders to ensure the voice of our members influences and informs developments in this space that will impact upon the daily working lives of our members. We will be sure to keep members informed of any further developments.