NAFD celebrates student success with special awards ceremony
In a break with tradition, the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) celebrated the achievements of students who have gained professional funeral qualifications with a stand-alone awards ceremony.
Usually, the awards are presented at the Association’s Conference in May, but this year the NAFD’s Committee for Professional Development decided to organise a special event, which took place in Honiley, near Warwick, on Saturday, June 21.
Seventeen students received the Diploma in Funeral Directing from NAFD President
Graham Lymn, while two students were presented with the Diploma in Funeral Service Management.
Some 55 people attended the ceremony, including the students’ family and friends, several NAFD Past Presidents, members of the NAFD Executive and the Association’s Education Moderator. There was also a warm welcome for Education Development Officer Angela Allen, who will develop the NAFD’s education strategy, deliver its courses and promote professional development within the funeral service.
David Solly, Chairman of the Board of Examiners, took charge of the day’s proceedings, which commenced with a brief presentation highlighting the work carried out by students to achieve the various awards. This was followed by the certificate presentations and individual and group photographs before everyone sat down to lunch.
In congratulating the students on their achievements, Graham Lymn paid tribute to the BIFD tutors and thanked the NAFD’s Board of Examiners for its continued efforts to drive up standards by developing education and training programmes that meet the profession’s needs.
"Our aim is to offer funeral professionals a real chance of improving their career prospects and to encourage everyone to commit to professional development," he said.
"As an indication of our success, I would point to the new Foundation Degree for funeral directors, which is being developed by our colleagues at the Centre for Death & Society at the University of Bath. The Foundation Degree in Funeral Service has now received approval by the Senate at the University of Bath and the first intake of 25 students will commence their studies on September 15."
Mr Lymn also reported that, in conjunction with the Centre for Death & Society, the NAFD intends to run a three-day residential summer school for members in July 2009. This will be held at the University and will incorporate a lecture programme by both external and University speakers.
"The education awards ceremony was so well-received that we may well adopt this approach again," says NAFD Chief Executive Officer Alan Slater.
"Staging a special event like this enabled us to focus on student achievements and to thank all those who put in such a great deal of time and effort to maintain the highest possible standards throughout the funeral service."