Dignity profits up as dead rise
Funeral services provider Dignity said an increase in the number of deaths in the UK had helped boost profits in the first half.
Funeral services provider Dignity said an increase in the number of deaths in the UK had helped boost profits in the first half.
Pre-tax profits in the six months to 29 June were up 11% to 27.2m and the firm increased its dividend 10% to 5.36p.
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The firm said its book of unfulfilled pre-arranged funeral plans had increased since December 2011 by about 10,000 to 275,000, with plan sales significantly ahead of the previous year.
Chief Executive Mike McCollum hailed a strong first half performance with over 99% of clients saying the firm met or exceeded their expectations.
"The core business has performed well, we have expanded our portfolio of funeral locations and crematoria, and the book of pre-arranged funeral plans continues to grow," he said.
"The group remains on track to achieve the board's expectations for the full year."
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