FuneralCar has listened to requests received from the funeral industry and started its own building division aimed at delivering good quality hearse and specialised vehicle conversions at a fair price.
Launched in 2016, FuneralCar started out as an online search portal – FuneralCar.co.za – to bring the motor and funeral industries together, matching OEMs with funeral parlours looking for suitable vehicles for the first call, hearses, family cars, MPV’s and repatriations.
Its offerings quickly expanded to incorporate assistance with the procurement of quotes, rentals and fleet management services, as well as organising annual industry events such as Funerex Africa, a dynamic trade expo and motoring experience that connects funeral professionals and relevant suppliers.
FuneralCar founder and CEO, Rachel Stead, says since its inception, FuneralCar has been intent on engaging with Funeral Industry players and identifying various unmet needs.
“One of the greatest issues we uncovered relates to the pricing of vehicle conversions as well as quality. We are trying to find the sweet spot between a fair price and good quality.”
She says it is important to meet customers’ needs throughout the conversion value chain – not just the build itself – but in terms of pricing and aftersales service too.
Currently, there are nominal industry standards relating to hearses. The most notable specification is that funeral industry vehicles must transport the deceased in a dignified manner.
One of the major frustrations for hearse owners in recent years is the impounding of their vehicles. “In many instances, we believe that this is the direct result of a vague regulatory framework,” adds Stead.
Key to starting its own building division was securing a Manufacturer, Importer and Builder (MIB) certificate, which Stead says was a non-negotiable step for FuneralCar. “This may be an onerous process with several checks and balances required, but it’s a critical one. Because relevant builds are inspected by the National Regulator for Compulsory Specification (NRCS), customers and OEMs have peace of mind that due diligence has been followed.”
To ensure quality conversions at a good price, conversion expert, Jackie Hodgson joined the FuneralCar team as Chief Operations Officer. With more than ten years of extensive experience in the motor industry, she has worked both at dealer and vehicle builder levels.
Stead says Hodgson brings a wealth of experience to FuneralCar. “Having dealt with Jackie over the past five years, we noted her work ethic, expertise and passion for conversions for the Funeral Industry and are delighted to have her on board.”
Notably, regulations in respect of funeral service vehicles represent a grey area for the funeral industry. With the massive amount of growth witnessed in the number of vehicle conversions conducted for the funeral industry over the past five years, the need to rectify this situation has become more pressing. “A big shift in the market in recent years, is the recognition that conversions by approved builders mean a greater possibility of accessing finance,” notes Stead.
Leasing is also picking up in the industry. “In the past, residual values for hearse conversions were a challenge. We have seen an exciting change in the market as more leasing companies recognise the industry and are willing to lease a fully converted hearse to funeral parlours,” she adds.
FuneralCar secured premises in Wynberg, Sandton earlier this year and commenced with the refurbishing vehicles, producing removable floors and assisting cross-border clients while waiting to be MIB-certified.
“For the immediate future, we intend to focus on bakkie and van conversions (anything non-stretch), but later we are keen to extend our services to associated vehicles such as ambulances and mobile clinics,” notes Stead.
The possibility of offering “stretch-type” hearses approved by NRCS for the Funeral Industry in Southern Africa is under consideration.
Stead and her team are passionate about creating a home-away-from-home environment for funeral parlour owners and their fleet managers. “They work in a taxing industry – dealing with death every day – and our hope is to offer them a space where they can relax and network.”
Looking ahead, Stead says her vision for FuneralCar is to create a holistic motoring solution for the funeral industry that addresses varying fleet needs and requirements and bolsters industry pride and relevance.
FuneralCar introduces hearse and specialised vehicle building division https://t.co/e3rOVXBoAW #ArriveAlive #SpecialisedVehicleBuildingDivision #FuneralCar pic.twitter.com/gXB443gPVr
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) May 19, 2022