Privacy policy
Houghtons ("we") are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. This policy sets out the basis on which any personal data we collect from you will be processed by us.
Who is responsible for your data
For the purpose of the General Data Protection Regulation, the data controller is Houghtons Funeral Directors Ltd, Elizabeth House, Station Road, Great Sankey, Warrington WA5 1RQ. Telephone 01925 729998. Email houghtonsfd@outlook.com.
Information we may collect from you, and why
We may collect your name, address, email address, telephone number and personal preferences (including your funeral wishes), which you may give us by filling in forms on our website, or by corresponding with us by phone, email or otherwise.
We use it so that we can supply the services and products you request and keep you informed about them. The lawful basis is that processing is necessary for the performance of a contract with you, or to take steps at your request before entering into one. If you do not provide the information we need, we may be unable to complete a transaction.
We may also use it to send you guidance and information about our products, where this is in our legitimate interests, and to tell you about goods or services that may interest you, but only where you have opted in. You can withdraw that consent at any time by using the unsubscribe link in an email, by writing to us, or by sending us a message through our contact page.
Information we may collect automatically
When you visit our website we may automatically collect technical information such as your IP address, browser type and version, time zone setting, operating system and platform, along with information about your visit such as the pages you viewed, how long you stayed and how you navigated.
We use this to administer the website, troubleshoot, improve how content is presented and keep the site safe and secure. The lawful basis is our legitimate interest in having a functioning and secure website.
Who we share your information with
We may also disclose your personal information if we sell or buy any business or assets, if Houghtons or substantially all of its assets are acquired by a third party, or where we are under a duty to disclose it to comply with a legal obligation, to enforce our agreements, or to protect the rights, property or safety of Houghtons, our customers or others. This includes exchanging information for the purposes of fraud protection and credit risk reduction.
- Analytics and search engine providers who help us improve and optimise our website
- Credit reference agencies, where assessing your credit is a condition of entering into a contract with you
- Providers of funeral plans, their brokers and anyone needed to set up the plans
- Cemeteries, churches, ministers, local authorities and anyone else needed to complete the funeral you request
Transfers outside the UK or EU
Some of the services that help run this website, such as hosting, the enquiry form, the postcode check and the embedded funeral notices, video and social media content, may be provided by organisations that process data outside the UK. We are checking where each provider is based and what safeguards apply, and we will update this section to say so accurately. If you would like to know more now, please contact us.
How long we keep your data
We keep personal information only for as long as necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, including meeting legal, accounting and record-keeping obligations. Retention depends on the type of record and our documented retention arrangements. You may ask us to delete your information. This right is subject to exceptions, including where records must be retained to meet legal obligations or establish, exercise or defend legal claims.
Your rights
You can make a request by writing to us at the address above or by using the contact form on our website.
- To ask for access to the personal data we hold about you (a subject access request)
- To ask us to correct data that is incomplete or inaccurate
- To ask, subject to certain criteria, for your data to be erased
- To ask us to restrict how we process your data
- To object to your data being processed
- To data portability: receiving your data in a structured, commonly used, machine-readable format
Complaints
If you feel your personal data has been processed inappropriately, or that your rights have been infringed, you may complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the UK's supervisory authority for data protection, on 0303 123 1113.
Cookies
Cookies are small text files placed on your device to help a site provide a better experience, for example by retaining preferences. This website does not set its own tracking or advertising cookies. Content from other organisations, such as funeral notices, social media posts and video, may use cookies or similar technology once it is loaded. The film embeds load only after you choose to load them. We are reviewing the other embedded content and will add clear choices wherever consent is needed. You can also change cookie settings in your browser.