Funeral plans firm sees sales growth

FUNERAL plans company Avalon saw its sales increase by 14% to £6.5m in the year ending July 2011 which it said was due to the spiralling costs of funeral provision.

The company said that funeral costs have typically risen by 42% in the last three years, which is considerably higher than the cost of inflation.
The company is predicting an increase in sales of almost 50% over the next 12 months to £9.5m.

Managing director Mike Cooper said: “Funerals have become increasingly expensive – an increase in demand for cremation and a serious lack of available burial space are two of the main factors for this.

“More and more, consumers are realising the benefits of taking out a pre-pay funeral plan, which enables them to beat inflation by paying for tomorrow’s funeral at today’s prices.”

He added that the company is looking to more than double its existing sales force of 40 within the next 12 months.

Close