Funeral consumers in Australia took another hit this week with the ongoing battle between InvoCare and Propel Funeral Partners, in their race to increase control over the funeral industry.
Following the recent acquisition of Gregson & Weight Funeral Directors by Propel Funeral Partners, Australia’s largest ASX listed funeral company, InvoCare has announced its latest acquisition of yet another independent funeral home.
In another blow to consumers, InvoCare has entered into two separate sales agreements to acquire the business and assets of Batemans Bay and Moruya District Funerals as well as Broulee Memorial Gardens on the southern New South Wales coast.
Batemans Bay & Moruya District Funerals operates from three locations in Batemans Bay, Moruya and Narooma. The company performs over 400 funerals every year with annual revenue of $3 million. Broulee Memorial Gardens performs 380 cremations per year including chapel services and memorialisation.
Martin Earp, InvoCare’s Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director said: “Today’s announcement represents an exciting opportunity for InvoCare to enter a new market on the South Coast of NSW where we do not currently have a presence. The transaction represents an extension of our regional strategy via the acquisition of the highest quality businesses in a growing market.”
Who is InvoCare Funerals?
InvoCare Limited is currently listed on the Australian stock exchange and owns and operates funeral homes, cemeteries and crematoria in Australia and Singapore. It is the largest provider of funeral services and the largest operator of private cemeteries and crematoria in Australia with over 230 funeral homes trading under different brands and 12 cemeteries and crematoria nationally.
- White Lady Funerals
- Simplicity Funerals
- Value Cremations
- Guardian Funerals
- Ann Wilson Funerals
- Le Pine Funerals
- Purslowe Funerals
eziFunerals holds grave fears for consumers
Peter Erceg said, “These latest acquisitions may be good news for InvoCare’s shareholders, but not for consumers and independent funeral homes operating in this region”.
If local ownership and community involvement are important to you, you should ask who owns and operates the funeral home you are considering in your area. By choosing to use the services of independent funeral homes, you are selecting the help of a trusted professional – who can help you anywhere, anytime. They are not distracted or bound by corporate rules handed down from head office and shareholders but can be flexible and responsive to individual needs, providing a highly personal and compassionate service.
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About eziFunerals
eziFunerals supports individuals and families cope with end of life decisions, death and funerals. We are an independent, Australian-owned and operated company, and are not a subsidiary of any other corporation. We are not part of any other funeral company.
