A fee of €100 is to be introduced from January for funeral directors submitting Irish death notices to the online platform RIP.ie, it has been announced.
In a statement the platform, which was acquired earlier this year by The Irish Times Group, said the change would support the development and enhancement of the service, for which no fee is currently levied.
“Investing in our service will ensure that RIP.ie remains a trusted resource for bereaved families across Ireland and for the hundreds of thousands of people who post messages of condolence to bereaved families on the site every week,” the statement said.
The platform, which operates seven days a week and had 3.3 million users last month, ensures people can find key information about funerals and funeral-related services.
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“Having engaged with funeral directors and others involved in the sector, we believe the new fee structure offers fair and good value for money. We have no plans to introduce a charge to users,” the platform said.
“RIP.ie remains committed to offering an excellent service and a secure platform where bereaved families can be supported in commemorating their loved ones.”
The Irish Times Group acquired the platform as part of its expansion of digital services and products.
A spokesperson for the Irish Association of Funeral Directors (IAFD) said: “The role of the Irish Association of Funeral Directors is to ensure fair representation of our members and that their clients receive the highest quality service when arranging funerals for their loved ones.
“When suppliers set prices beyond the control of the IAFD, which could affect our members and their clients, the Association strives to voice any concerns on their behalf, as we aim to promote best practice and deliver value to both our members and their clients.”
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