RIP.ie to Implement €100 Charge for Death Notices from January

RIP.ie, an Irish online platform providing funeral information, has declared that it will implement a €100 fee for each death notice published on its site. The Irish Times Group acquired RIP.ie earlier this year, and the platform has since emerged as one of Ireland’s leading websites, recording 3.3 million users in the previous month. Previously, death notices were posted without charge, though undertakers had the option to pay for additional advertising on the site. RTÉ’s Drivetime journalists viewed a letter dispatched to client funeral directors, which details the intention to implement these charges starting 1 January. Rory Healy of R Healy and Sons funeral directors in Carlow commented: “At €100 it still offers good value for families compared to the broad sheets which can run to €300/400 or local radio of up to €200. “The accessibility of RIP.ie for consumers is the go to site now for death notices.” Conversely, John Mark Griffin, representing Griffin’s Funeral Home in Limerick city and serving as PRO of the IAFD, informed RTÉ Drivetime that members are “seeking clarity around the costings” due to uncertainty regarding whether the stated cost incorporates VAT. Furthermore, other funeral directors, such as Joe Grogan from Galway, have voiced apprehension regarding the prospective introduction of advertising on the website. “Funerals are a sensitive business,” he said, adding: “You don’t want to be seeing ads or pop-ups that have nothing to do with funerals.” A spokesperson for RIP.ie stated that the new fees are intended to “support the development and enhancement” of the RIP.ie service. They further explained, “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 those families on the site every week.” The spokesperson added, “The platform, which operates seven days a week, also ensures people can find key information about funerals and funeral-related services.” They also clarified, “We have no plans to introduce a charge to users of the site.” They affirmed that “RIP.ie remains committed to offering an excellent service and a secure platform where bereaved families can be supported in commemorating their loved ones.”