Dignity buoyant on back of pre-arranged funeral sales

SUTTON Coldfield funeral services operator Dignity has seen an increase in both revenue and profits.

Announcing its preliminary results for the 52 week period until the end of December, the firm revealed revenue was up 5.5% to £210,1m (£199.1m in 2010) and underlying operating profits were up by 5.7% to £64.5m (£61m in 2010).

The group said during the period £12m was invested to acquire ten funeral lotions. A further four locations have been acquired since the period end.

Dignity experienced its strongest year ever of pre-arranged funeral plan sales, with unfulfilled pre-arranged funeral plans increasing to 265,000.
 
Chief executive Mike McCollum said: “We have made good progress in each of our businesses.

“Whilst 2012 has started more quietly than 2011, the board remains confident in the group’s prospects and its expectations for 2012 remain positive and unchanged.”