Dying to get cheaper as Malta ends hearse cartel

VALLETTA (Reuters) - The cost of living is rising in Malta, but the cost of dying may be about to drop.

The Maltese Transport Ministry announced on Monday that the government had decided to liberalize the granting of licenses for hearses. No licenses have been issued for 36 years, leaving only 11 owners of hearses and, in the ministry's words, "creating the conditions for a cartel."

"The people have been denied freedom of choice and the benefits of competition" the ministry said.

(Editing by Mark Trevelyan)