A CAMPAIGN launched by a mother and daughter to help grieving families close the accounts of deceased loved ones has reached Parliament.

More than 35 cross-party MPs have backed a motion tabled in the House of Commons calling on ministers to introduce a new ‘Bereavement Standard’.

The aim of the early day motion, signed by members of six different parties, is to “simplify and streamline” the “complex array of arrangements” which face grieving families who need to close accounts with service providers, following the death of a loved one.

The campaign was launched by mother and daughter Julie and Vicky Wilson, from Easington, following the problems they experienced after the death of Vicky’s grandmother, June Wilson.

Vicky said: “We are hugely encouraged that there is such growing support from MPs and members of the public for a new set of agreed standards, and we call on ministers and all service providers across the UK to listen to those voices and back our campaign.

“Without an agreed Bereavement Standard, service providers can still add unnecessary stress at a time when grieving families have enough to deal with.”

More than 83,000 people have signed a public petition which demands action from the Government to improve the process of account closures.

The pair has founded a new online account closure service, Settld, which launches to members of the public for free, later this year.

The family has the support of their local MP Grahame Morris.

Mr Morris said: “Sadly, tens of thousands of excess deaths in 2020 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic have highlighted the unnecessary stress which thousands of grieving families have to go through when dealing with end of life admin.

“The system must be improved and that requires Government action.

“I have made representations to the Prime Minister’s Office to highlight this hugely important campaign and I would urge him to act and listen to the concerns of bereaved families.”

The campaign is also backed by several charities including Cruse Bereavement Care, Sue Ryder, Marie Curie, ‘Jack’s Law’ campaigner Lucy Herd, Hospice UK, Good Grief Trust and wills, probate and funerals experts, Farewill.

A Bereavement Standard Working Group to help bring about the requested standard has also been established with leading service providers, parliamentarians, charities and UK regulators.

The next meeting of the group takes place today and Minister for Bereavement Nadine Dorries has been invited to take part.

Steven Wibberly, of Cruse Bereavement Care, said: “It is vital that companies show compassion towards bereaved people.

“They must simplify their processes to ensure they are fit for purpose and to make sure that they are not causing their bereaved customers further distress, at what is already a very difficult time.

“Anything that can be done to simplify this process will have a huge impact.”