TWO of the UK's largest providers of pre-paid funeral plans and cremation services have stepped in after the collapse of Safe Hands. 

Memoria Limited and Westerleigh Group announced their intention to offer their cremation services at cost to people who have bought funeral plans from Safe Hands, which recently went into administration. 

A number of Bradford people have spoken of their concern. Molly and Tibor Sebo, from Riddlesden, paid £9,000 and told the Telegraph & Argus they had been left devastated when they learned of Safe Hands' collapse. 

Howard Hodgson, Chief Executive Officer of Memoria Group, said: “The problems caused by the failure of Safe Hands is of great concern to those, like me, who care about the integrity of the funeral plan market. 

"We know that Safe Hands’ customers, most of whom are elderly, are very worried that they will not receive the funeral they have paid for.

“I have heard heart-wrenching stories of how the collapse of Safe Hands has devastated people and caused them to fear for the future."

He said he hoped the announcement would help to alleviate people's fears during what has been an uncertain time.