Licensing of hearses liberalised

The granting of licences for hearses has been liberalised following a Cabinet decision, the Ministry of the Infrastructure and Transport announced this afternoon.

As a result, 14 pending requests for the licensing of 17 hearses will be accepted.

The ministry said the restrictions to date had limited choice and the benefits of competition.

The ministry pointed out that funeral services had been fully liberalised except for the hearses. There are currently 51 undertakers and 11 owners of hearses. The limited number of hearse owners had created the conditions for a cartel, the ministry said.

No licences for hearses were issued in the past 36 years.

The government said no second hand hearses will be imported and the exemption on registration tax on hearses is being removed. Licences will not be renewed for vehicles over 20 years old. The registration tax will be 30 percent of the value of the vehicle, which is the same as for public transport vehicles. Prices for funeral services will henceforth be market driven and fixed tariffs will be lifted.