Rugby MP, Mark Pawsey, recently visited The Co-operative Funeral Home on Bilton Road. Mark met with Darryl Smith, General Manager of The Co-operative Funeralcare group, which operates thirteen funeral homes across Coventry, Warwickshire, South Leicestershire and Northamptonshire.
Mark, who is Chair of the All-Party Group for Funerals and Bereavement in Parliament, took the opportunity to discuss some of the most pressing issues relating to funerals and bereavement including funeral delays and funeral poverty.
After the visit Mark said:
“It is an incredibly distressing time for families and friends when a loved one passes away. The work that Darryl and his team do in helping families make the necessary funeral arrangements in such difficult circumstances is so important. I was keen to learn more about the work that they do, the approach that they take and how the Co-operative Funeralcare Group assist families during such times.”
Mark continued:
“As the Chair of the APPG for Funerals and Bereavement in Parliament I have been heavily involved in investigating issues surrounding funeral poverty and funeral delays in recent months; issues which can often compound already deeply upsetting situations. It was important to understand from Darryl how such issues have impacted on people here in Rugby and to discuss what further action the Government can take to help those affected by bereavement.”
Speaking after Mark’s visit, General Manager of the Funeral Division at the Heart of England Co-operative Society, Darryl Smith said:
"It was a pleasure, and a privilege, to spend time with Mark and to show him around our funeral home in Rugby. We spent a great deal of time talking about the type of things that can impact on the bereaved in our area ranging from funeral poverty to funeral delays, and everything in between."