Four funeral bosses in Dublin have a stranglehold on the annual €50 million market, an MEP claimed today.
Gay Mitchell
A six-month inquiry by Gay Mitchell found that half of all undertaking premises in Dublin are owned by just four businesses.
Mr Mitchell said bereaved families in Dublin face fees of around €6,500 — more than double the cost elsewhere in the country.
"Individuals are being signed up for costs amounting to thousands of euro when they are emotionally low. Quite often people don't shop around when arranging a funeral, and this is quite understandable as they are dealing with the death of a close family member or a friend," he said.
Mr Mitchell claimed that half of all funeral business in Dublin was being controlled by Fanagan's Ltd, Massey Brothers Ltd, Stafford's Ltd and Frank Jennings & Sons Ltd.
The MEP has called on Dublin City Council to grant planning permission for more undertaking businesses in Dublin to increase competition in the market.
He has also sent his findings to the Director of Consumer Affairs and the Competition Authority.
There has been no new entrant to the undertaking business in Dublin since 1972, he added.
PA