NAFD advances the debate on key funeral issues
February proved to be a busy month for the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) as representatives engaged in high level discussions with parliamentarians to focus on some of the key issues facing the UK funeral profession.
Following the decision to upgrade the European Liaison Group to a Cross Party Parliamentary Group in Brussels, NAFD chief executive officer Alan Slater, Dodge Group chairman Adrian Haler and Christopher Henley, the NAFD’s representative at the European Federation of Funeral Services, met with Malcolm Harbour MEP to review European political developments affecting the funeral sector.
The Biocides Directive, and its impact on the future use of Formaldehyde in embalming, remains top of the agenda. The Group has resolved to seek clarification from the European Commission after being advised that the timeframe of the review programme for existing active substances may be extended and that ways to alleviate the financial burdens for SMEs are being envisaged.
The Group also discussed the NAFD’s upcoming visit to Brussels, when it will meet key MEPs and Commission officials and discuss the Biocides Directive and repatriation issues. The visit will also allow the Association to develop links with major policy makers so that the interests of NAFD members are more clearly understood and future legislation emanating from Brussels can be examined and amended.
NAFD representatives also attended a House of Commons meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Funerals and Bereavement Group, which examined a range of issues affecting the sector, including retained ashes, cremation regulations, Coroners removals, death certification, the Social Fund and doorstep selling. The meeting, chaired by Bill Olner MP, also reviewed past and forthcoming ministerial meetings.
NAFD representatives then joined members of the All Party Parliamentary Funerals and Bereavement Group for a meeting at the Department of Health with Ben Bradshaw MP, Minister of State for Health Services, to discuss the Government’s and the funeral sector’s position on Death Certification. The main focus of the meeting was on the proposed role of the Medical Examiner and how funding will be determined.
Nigel Lymn Rose welcomed publication of the Consultation Improving the Process of Death Certification and expressed the NAFD’s appreciation of the contact it had been afforded with the Minister’s officials through the Working Group examining death certification. The Minister agreed to maintain contact with the All Party Parliamentary Funerals and Bereavement Group, stating that he would be happy to receive further representations once the Government’s response to the Consultation document, which is expected in the near future, has been published.