co-operative funeralcare are a disgrace

anniered

Don't use co-operative funeralcare directors they are disgusting, disrespectful and incompetent. My lovely mum died two months ago and I made the worst mistake of my life by chosing to use Pearson Collinsons funeral directors who are part of the co-operative group. They failed to complete the legal documents correctly they put the wrong funeral date on the documents and then failed to check them at any time before the day of my mums funeral which led to disaster on the funeral day. We were refused entry into the crematorium chapel and were left outside in the cold distressed and in total shock, the funeral directors were an absolute disgrace they were too busy blaming the crematoria staff and they in turn were blaming the funeral directors. They threw the flowers into my mums hearse and put her photo in on its side! they showed us no respect or help at all just told us to go back to our cars because the service would not go ahead today. It was only after myself and my family refused to move and told them to get the police that they started to accept that they would have to do something so the service could go ahead. After the longest hour and a half the service went ahead but without a lot of my mums lifelong friends who had to leave because it was too stressfull. I have spent the last two months trying to get them to change their policy so this will never happen again to another family, as it has left my family devestated. From the day of the funeral to today the co-operative funeralcare have been disrespectful to my family and my mum they told us we will have to take them to the FAS (funeral arbitration service) as I do not believe they should be paid because of the complete failing in compliying with the contract and complete lack of customer care on the day or since.
DO NOT USE THE CO-OPERATIVE FUNERAL GROUP!!!!!

melorablack

I'm sorry to hear about your mum

I would definately make a complaint to the FAS, maybe something will get done then?

anniered

Thanks I am hoping that I can stop this happening again but even the chief executive seems as uncaring as the rest of the company.

amersall

condolences on the loss of your mum, this is an outrage, please complain dont let them get away with this.There is no way i would use the co op, i took a condolence card in to co op funeral care to be passed on to the family of the deceased for a friend of mine, the snotty cow on reception did not even look up and acknowledge i was there, a man came round from the back and did not even look at me just walked by, but i had the last laugh, i said to the girl behind the counter, "shouldnt you be in the chapel of rest? "she said " i do reception" to which i replied " i meant laid out because you act like a corpse with about as much feeling" and walked out. I took the card to the crematorium on the day of the funeral (as i was passing it on for a friend of mine who was ill) i handed it to a lady in the office and she was lovely, she said she would pass it on, when i told her about the co op she gave me a look that said tell me about it

Coeus

Please keep us informed on the outcome of the FAS. No company should undertake delicate activities such as funeral care without confidence in their own competence.

Let's hope Pearson Collinsons do not get the chance to do this to another family.

My condolences for your loss,
Coeus.

snapping_crocodile

So sorry to hear about your loss and the terrible way you have been treated. I would definitely complain. Just to balance things though cooperative funeralcare handled my dad's funeral last year and I have nothing but praise for them, they were wonderful. I think some of their funeral directors are leaseheld, so it is not necessarily a reflection of the service you will get across the brand. Never the less you had truly appaling treatment at a very difficult time, and that will always stay with you. Put your complaint in writing and send it recorded delivery. Keep us up dated with their repsonse

Laz123

anniered wrote: »

Thanks I am hoping that I can stop this happening again but even the chief executive seems as uncaring as the rest of the company.

In what way specifically?

I used them for my stepfather's funeral which was fine. But there was a demand for payment a week afterwards for the removal of a headstone. That was insensitive to a grieving widow and they would have known about this charge BEFORE the funeral. I wrote telling them they should sort out their admin and they did apologise.

cyberbob

anniered wrote: »

Thanks I am hoping that I can stop this happening again but even the chief executive seems as uncaring as the rest of the company.

You have to remember you are still grieving so dealing with a matter like this may be difficult and not the i'm saying you don't have complaints but whatever someone says may not be good enough for you because no matter what they do they can't change what has happened or your feelings about it. So it may be with take a step back and a deep breath and maybe get some advice from somewhere like the CAB who may be able to help with a fresh pair of eyes and viewpoint on the situation.

Errata

So sorry this happened to you, and I hope you haven't paid the bill.
Many undertakers who appear to be independent are not, but part of national chains. My personal experience is that a truly local independent firm of long standing will provide a far more personal, sensitive and appropriate service.

bargainbetty

I am so sorry to hear of the trauma you had to go through at such a difficult time.

However, it may be down to the individual offices/franchises. The Orpington branch could not have been more supportive, helpful or caring when my Dad passed in 2001. The staff were absolutely great, and handled every aspect of the service and funeral with respect and courtesy. I could not fault them.

Please accept the sympathy and condolences of a stranger - I still miss my Dad, and the loss of a parent is desperately hard to deal with. Adding this to it was unforgivable, and I sincerely hope that you obtain an apology and compensation from them.

BLT_2

anniered wrote: »

Don't use co-operative funeralcare directors they are disgusting, disrespectful and incompetent.

Wow what an arbitrary judgement of all co-operative funeral directors based on one experience. If I go into M&S and have one bad experience should I then tell everyone that all M&S staff are disgusting?