Funeral sector reform can’t wait: why training and partnerships matter now

Public confidence in the funeral sector has been tested in recent years. Increased scrutiny, high-profile incidents and the ongoing review into funeral regulation have left many businesses asking what the future of their profession should look like.

For Connect2FuneralServices, part of Connect2Care, the answer is clear: raising standards through structured training, meaningful support and stronger collaboration across the sector.

As the Government prepares its final response to phase two of the Fuller Inquiry, which recommended the urgent introduction of independent funeral sector regulation, Connect2FuneralServices believes businesses should not wait for legislation before taking action.

Kirsty Simmonds, National Sector Lead for Funeral Services, says now is the time for the industry to work together to strengthen professionalism and rebuild trust.

“There is big regulation coming but until recently, no one has been really talking to each other within the sector,” she said.

“That is slowly starting to change, but it needs to change a lot more and a lot faster. We are trying to tell the sector to come on this journey with us.”

Connect2FuneralServices works directly with funeral businesses across the UK, supporting them with apprenticeship programmes and accredited training designed specifically for the realities of modern funeral care.

The organisation believes that, while many funeral professionals already operate to very high standards, the lack of formal regulation has created inconsistency across the sector. In practice, this means there are still no mandatory qualifications or licensing requirements for those entering the profession.

“As things currently stand, anyone can set themselves up as a funeral director. They can do it without a licence, qualifications, or training, and without regulation,” Kirsty said.

“Many people assume funeral and cremation services were independently regulated, but that is not the case.”

Rather than waiting for regulation to force change, Connect2FuneralServices is helping funeral businesses put structured training and professional development at the centre of their operations now.

Its apprenticeship programmes combine practical experience with formal learning, helping learners understand not only how funeral services are delivered, but also the ethical, legal and professional responsibilities behind them. From compliance and legislation to family care and professional conduct, the focus is on developing competent, confident professionals who can protect both bereaved families and the reputation of the sector itself.

Kirsty believes this approach is essential if the profession is to move forward collectively.

“The sector needs standardised training, like in the care sector, where there is an apprenticeship which leads to a mandated diploma which is, in effect, your licence to operate,”

Connect2FuneralServices also recognises the pressures many funeral businesses are under. Independent and family-run funeral directors are balancing rising expectations, increasing operational demands and ongoing uncertainty around future regulation. For many, finding the time and resources to recruit and properly train new staff can feel overwhelming.

This is where the support element of Connect2FuneralServices becomes particularly important. The organisation works alongside employers throughout the apprenticeship journey, helping businesses develop talent internally while ensuring training standards are consistently met.

Rather than simply delivering qualifications, the aim is to help businesses create long-term stability, strengthen professional standards and prepare for the future of the industry.

Kirsty said: “There are partnerships to be made in the sector which could see us all striving towards a common goal, of securing consistently higher standards.

“This will reduce the risk of a repeat of some incidents in recent years which have had a negative impact on the reputation of the funeral sector and which have quite rightly led to increased calls for regulation.”

She added: “We are not looking to compete with the traditional training providers but to complement them, with that one common goal of an industry which consistently practices high standards and which the public can have strong confidence in.”

For Connect2FuneralServices, collaboration is a key part of raising standards across the profession. The organisation believes funeral businesses, training providers and sector bodies all have a role to play in ensuring future professionals are properly prepared for the responsibilities they carry.

“The sector needs to collectively affirm its commitment to securing the dignity of the deceased,” Kirsty said.

“And that is our biggest message; we want to complement, not compete, within the funeral sector so that we can all strive together towards that common goal of raising standards and increasing public confidence.”

At a time when regulation appears increasingly likely, Connect2FuneralServices believes the businesses that invest in training, competence and ethical practice now will be best placed to navigate the future with confidence.

Because ultimately, building trust in the funeral profession will not come from policy alone. It will come from consistently high standards, properly-trained professionals and a sector willing to work together to protect the families it serves.