Co-op Voice 2904_5-Coop Funeralcare Mag-Issue 2_ONLINE | Page 4

TALKING LEGAL SERVICES Our relationships with clients are important, so we’re trialling how we can provide an even better service by giving our Funeral Arrangers and Funeral Directors freedom to talk about Wills and Legal Services products. A Will to succ R egional Operations Manager Cathy Armitage and a team of experienced Funeral Arrangers started a trial in Leeds and Bradford in February. The trial team completed a course of training before talking to clients about legal services. It’s important that the team feel confident the advice and guidance they give clients is accurate, and the ongoing training is really helping with this. While the proposed approach is simple and 4 Our Voice / June 2017 straight forward, there are legal considerations so it’s important that what we say to clients is accurate. The team also knew they had the full support of the team based in Co-op Legal Services if there was anything they weren’t sure about. This trial is looking at how to have conversations with clients in funeral homes and when it’s appropriate to make suggestions about Wills and Lasting Power of Attorney. These topics are a natural extension of the conversations our colleagues already have with their clients – and feedback from the trial so far is that clients have a better experience talking to someone they already know and trust. The trial is still ongoing and we’ll keep reviewing the benefits it offers our clients, as well as how well it supports the integration of Funeralcare and Legal Services. Feedback from the Leeds and Bradford trial team and from clients will help inform decisions about the future direction of this idea. *The Trade Unions are aware of the trial and will be kept up to date.