MEDIA RELEASE
July 23, 2024 – Victoria BC – Consumer Protection BC is alerting customers of McLean’s Funeral Services about an ongoing investigation into a misappropriation of consumer funds. Customers of the business are encouraged to determine how this will impact their end-of-life plans.
The regulator’s investigation shows the business failed to properly fund its trust account for prepaid funeral services. Information gathered so far indicates that the business will not be able to fulfill its contracts or provide refunds to customers. Consumer Protection BC is now focused on reaching impacted families to inform them of the situation.
For impacted customers and their families:
- If you are actively receiving funeral services from McLean’s Funeral Services, please resume as planned. Consumer Protection BC is working with the business to serve families with services in process and complete any contracted and expected cremations.
- If you have prepaid for funeral services with McLean’s Funeral Services, you will not receive those future services and the business is most likely unable to refund you. Consumer Protection BC is assessing whether a small group of consumers may receive partial refunds but there is no guarantee.
Customers of McLean’s Funeral Services that require funeral services in the future will need to make alternative arrangements with a different funeral provider. Consumers can search for a licensed funeral provider on Consumer Protection BC’s website.
As the situation unfolds, Consumer Protection BC has suspended McLean’s funeral and crematorium licences and issued a freeze order on remaining assets. Despite these efforts, it is unlikely that McLean’s Funeral Services customers will be made whole again.
About Consumer Protection BC
Consumer Protection BC is a not-for-profit regulator responsible for overseeing certain industries and specific consumer transactions in the province. Their mandate is to license and inspect their regulated businesses, respond to consumer inquiries, investigate alleged violations of consumer protection laws, and classify all general release motion pictures.
For more information about Consumer Protection BC, to read their recent enforcement actions, and to learn about their inspection and complaint-handling processes, please visit their website at www.consumerprotectionbc.ca. You can also follow them on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube or read their blog for valuable consumer tips and resources.
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Media contact:
media@consumerprotectionbc.ca