Funeral Service Times August 2017 May 2019 | Page 10

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Woodall Nicholson Group
acquires Binz funeral
vehicles
The group will add Binz to its existing funeral vehicle business
Coleman Milne
Woodall Nicholson Group, based in Westhoughton, Bolton UK,
have exclusively acquired the intellectual property, trademarks
and strategic assets of the former Binz GmbH and Co. KG and BINZ
Holding B.V.
Binz funeral vehicles were once a market leader in creating,
building and selling hearses and limousines in mainland Europe.
Woodall Nicholson said it was “delighted” to add this capability to
its existing business, Coleman Milne, a market leader within the same
sector for UK and Ireland.
The deal will witness the growth of the Woodall Nicholson
funeral car business, with the expansion of its ceremonial vehicles
business across Europe and the Middle East, offering the complete
range of vehicles under both the Binz and Coleman Milne names, on
Mercedes, Ford and Tesla platforms.
Woodall Nicholson chief executive officer, Frank Barrett, said: “We
are very proud to add the Binz range of vehicles to our portfolio. The
acquisition presents significant growth opportunities for the group,
making Woodall Nicholson a truly international player in the design,
manufacture and supply of ceremonial vehicles through our Coleman
Milne and Binz brands and products.
“We will continue to maintain our focus on technology, quality,
delivery and customer satisfaction and we are ready to immediately
support the customers of the former Binz business.”
‘Jerusalem’ tops list of
songs over 50s want played
at funeral
A survey asked 1,000 people aged 50 and above whether they
would like music to be played at their funeral service and if so,
which song would they most like played
According to a new study, 70% of over 50s would like to have
music played at their funeral service, with Jerusalem by Edward
Elgar topping the list.
The research, commissioned by funeral plan providers,
Ecclesiastical Planning Services, asked 1,000 people aged 50 and
above whether they would like music to be played at their funeral
service and if so, which song would they most like played.
In total, 70% of respondents revealed that they would like some
form of music to be played at their funeral service. Women (74% of
total women asked) were more likely than men (64% of total men
asked) to request music at their funeral service, with just 13% of
MAY 2019
Govt to update crematoria
provisions to reflect
cultures and faiths
This follows a review which was published by the Ministry of
Housing, Communities and Local Government in 2016
A package of measures to update crematoria to reflect the needs
of different cultures and faiths in modern Britain has been announced
by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
(MHCLG).
The announcement follows the review of crematoria provision
and facilities, where the government received around 150 responses
from many faith and belief groups. The plan will help make sure
communities of all faiths have facilities that are fit for purpose and
sensitive to their needs.
The review, which was published in 2016 along with the March
Budget, saw a majority of respondents were from the Hindu
communities but there were also representations from other faith
and belief groups, and those of no faith.
Faith minister Lord Bourne has also written to local authorities to
inform them that all reasonable steps should be taken to allow the
needs of those with different faiths to be met in public buildings,
encourage providers to be more transparent about their services,
and have appropriate staff training to understand different faith
requirements.
Bourne said: “Cremations have become more and more common.
This is why it is vital that there are high quality crematoria that respect
cultural and religious traditions of all faiths and beliefs, and those of
no faith.
“This package of measures will make sure that local authorities and
providers offer the appropriate facilities that reflect the communities
they serve.”
respondents indicating they would not like to have music played at
their service.
Among the most commonly requested songs were Frank Sinatra’s
My Way, Robbie Williams’ Angels, and ACDC’s Highway to Hell.
The research highlighted that many people still have a preference
for hymns and more traditional scores such as Edward Elgar’s
Jerusalem and Time to Say Goodbye by Andrea Bocelli.
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