Central England Co-op Funeralcare backs announcement of Children’s Funeral Fund
Posted by rob smyth | Published: 01/07/2019
Central England Co-operative Funeralcare has welcomed the launch of the Government’s Children’s Funeral Fund – a scheme that waives the costs of child burials and cremations in England.
Kevin Crute, Head of Funeral at Central England Co-operative, spoke about the announcement of the fund, which will be available regardless of the family’s income, and will also include a contribution towards the cost of a coffin.
Alongside this pledge by the Government, Central England Co-op Funeralcare will continue to provide its Rainbow Service, which provides a free of charge funeral service for children up to and including 17 years of age.
Kevin said: “Central England Co-op Funeralcare welcomes the announcement that burial fees will be waived for children under the age of 18 as it is a great step in the right direction to ensure as many parents who want financial support during their time of need can get it.
"Central England Co-op Funeralcare has long been a leader in offering free funerals for children through our Rainbow Service, something we are extremely proud of and know makes a real difference to families who have gone through the loss of a child.
“It allows us to provide complimentary support for parents who have lost a child from 17 years and under and allows parents to focus their mind on their child and their memories of them, rather than having to worry about finances.”
The Rainbow Service means that families do not have to pay for the funeral service but are also not restricted, as the service still offers the family choice and the ability to personalise the funeral they want for their child.
The service can also include the use of cuddle cots where the family wants them. Central England Co-operative Funeralcare was the first funeral director in the country to offer this service, which offers parents a special moses basket that is equipped to allow relatives more time to say goodbye to their child.
These are available across the Society’s trading area in 16 counties.
People can find out more about the Rainbow Service by visiting www.centralengland.coop/funeral-services or calling 0800 454 552.
Notes to editors
About Central England Co-operative
Central England Co-operative is one of the largest independent retail co-operative societies in the UK.
It is a modern, forward-looking organisation employing over 8,000 staff, with the Society’s principal areas of activity being food, funeral services, and property.
The company’s funeral business consists of over 120 funeral homes across 16 counties, nine florists, masonry production and administration, Bretby Crematorium and Terry Smiths coffin factory.
Central England Co-operative has more than 430 trading outlets across 16 counties including; West Midlands, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.
The Society has an ambitious food store and funeral home development programme for 2019.
Central England Co-operative is proud of its reputation for ethical business practices and corporate responsibility. It is a member of Business in the Community, the membership organisation that stands for responsible business, and has also won many business awards for excellence. The Society supports a number of charities including Dementia UK and invests a percentage of its trading profit into local communities.
Becoming a member of Central England Co-operative offers a whole host of benefits ranging from collecting points every time you spend in store to earn a share of the profits, access to members activities and community initiatives including the Community Dividend Fund, which hands out grants of up to £5,000 to charities and good causes across the Society’s trading estate.
Find out how to become a Central England Co-operative member by calling 0800 0501 601, emailing members@centralengland.coop or visiting https://www.members.coop
For more information visit www.centralengland.coop, follow Central England Co-operative on Twitter: @mycoopfood, @mycooplife and on Facebook: facebook.com/centralenglandcooperative
Rob Smyth and James Brindle at Central England Co-operative on 01543 414140
Email – publicrelations@centralengland.coop