Hollard cancelled my 82 year old father's funeral cover, without letting us know!

We recently noticed that my father's debit order for Hollard Funeral Cover is not going off his account. I phoned them today and was told that his policy lapsed in April last year, because of non-payment???? How is it that a policy can be cancelled, without letting the person know? My dad is turning 83 this year and I can't get him a new funeral cover, because he is too old. Very disappointed in Hollard's service!