NAFD news

NAFD New Year social media campaign reaches tens of thousands

Early in January, the NAFD launched a social media campaign challenging people to describe their funeral wishes in either a 280-character tweet or a short Facebook post. “We know people are reluctant to talk about the end of life, but we also know they often can’t resist a social media challenge that involves revealing their likes and dislikes,” said Deborah Smith, who leads communications for the NAFD.

“What’s been fantastic about the response to this is that it has sparked discussion - and that’s the whole point. We have to keep trying different ways to help people start a conversation with their loved ones. Even if a quick social media post is all they ever do, just think how much uncertainty that would remove for families in the future.”

By the end of the first week of the campaign it had reached more than 36,000 people, with numerous funeral plans tweeted online. The conversation continued for several days as people shared location ideas, preferred music, what colours, hobbies or interests should be involved and any guidance for mourners. The funeral wishes tweeted ranged from traditional religious services, to very simple, outdoor services and complex, highly bespoke events. Some tweeters tagged loved ones to ensure they were aware. All of the tweets, whether simple or complex, were highly personal and meaningful to the individual. There was even a tweet from a dog with its own Twitter account.

It also sparked some conversations with loved ones with one respondent reporting: “I asked my teenage son if he’d like my body at home before my funeral. He visibly recoiled in horror. ‘No bloody way. I don’t want you lying ALL over the sofa BEING dead.’ No, idiot, I’d be in a coffin.

‘Oh yeah,’ he said perking up, ‘that would be OK.’ Glad we got that sorted.”

Some, though, firmly indicated a preference for nothing at all, with one commenting: “Chuck me in a skip. I’ll be dead and couldn’t care less.” The campaign was shared widely by NAFD member firms, non-member firms, individuals and organisations including Dying Matters, Humanists UK and Cruse Bereavement Care. To help keep the conversation going, the NAFD is releasing a new version of the video, without the New Year resolution reference and suitable for websites, YouTube and social media, that can be used at any point throughout the year.

The NAFD Class of 2019 graduate in front of their families and friends

For this year’s president, David Barrington, the annual Celebration of Success was a particularly special occasion. As an NAFD tutor he has supported many students through their diploma studies over the years, but this year it was a chance to share in the special day of all 76 student. He told them: “Embarking on any of our courses brings a kaleidoscope of challenges. You are all different and have travelled different paths on your journeys. Some of you may work with your family in your family business. Some of you will have started your career in funerals as a driver or bearer when you were at school, and have worked your way up. Some of you may have come to this as a career change, or as the result of being bereaved yourself, feeling you could give something back to other families in the same situation. “The desire to better yourselves should be highly commended and I hope that this is the start of a continuous desire to improve your practice for the future. When I took my diploma, as

Representing the needs of almost 4,000 funeral homes, the National Association of Funeral Directors is the “Voice of the Funeral Profession”, supporting members and assuring the public of high standards for more than 100 years.

The NAFD is influential • Consulted by Government on legislative issues • First call for the media on funeral / bereavement issues • Established cross party groups in all four UK Parliaments / Assemblies • Universally endorsed professional qualifications

The NAFD is inclusive • We are financially independent of any other organisation • We campaign on issues affecting all members equally • Members range from small independent firms to groups and Co-operatives • We are totally democratic with one member, one vote - irrespective of the number of funeral homes

The NAFD is supportive • Best benefits package within the sector, saving up to £5,000 a year on essential business costs • Free helplines for financial, legal and employment law, HR, public relations and repatriation issues • Free £5m professional indemnity insurance per UK funeral home member - unique within the sector • Free insurance against tribunal claims, H&S and tax prosecutions

The NAFD is trusted • NAFD members are trusted by consumers to deliver our Funeral Promise: • A funeral that is a fitting farewell, at a price they are comfortable with • Treating bereaved families with respect and acting with integrity • Fulfilling any special wishes and requests • The right to independent redress if the need should arise

Your business will be Stronger byAssociation with the NAFD. Apply to join today and start taking advantage of the benefits of membership. Call: Su Lewis on 0121 711 1343 ext. 20. Visit: www.nafd.org.uk/whyjointhenafd

well as the official learning I also learnt lots from my peers who were on the course with me and something that always strikes me, when I teach a class of students, is how much I learn from them.”

NAFD Chief Executive Jon Levett paid tribute to the families and friends who had supported the students through their studies and predicted a bright future, saying: “I truly believe that the time and investment you have made in order to have achieved your NAFD qualification will open up amazing opportunities for you in the future, helping you to make the very best of your potential and achieve a successful and rewarding career in the funeral service.” The 2019 Scales Awards winners, for the highest marks achieved in the examinations, were Paul Riley (Dip. FAA) and Andrew Jones (Dip. FD).

After the ceremony, the newly minted graduates enjoyed a drinks reception, lunch and celebration with their families, friends and colleagues. Many were also accompanied by their tutors and employers who have supported their studies.

Develop your professional skills in 2020

If you are inspired by the success of the Class of 2019, why not think about adding an NAFD qualification or ongoing CPD to your professional achievements?

The Association’s two Diploma courses provide comprehensive training for funeral service professionals and are considered the gold standard qualifications for the sector. The Diploma in Funeral Arranging & Administration (Dip FAA) and the Diploma in Funeral Directing (Dip FD) are studied for across a period of between 9-15 months (dependent upon the qualification) and are delivered by a team of highly qualified NAFD approved tutors and assessed by the NAFD Board of Examiners.

As well as the two diplomas, the Association is also supported in delivery of its education programme by the London Association of Funeral Directors, which operates the LAFD Certificate in Funeral Arranging & Administration. Launched in 2007, the twelveweek LAFD Certificate in Funeral Arranging & Administration course has been designed specifically as a qualification for those in the frontline of funeral service.

With both the diplomas and LAFD certificate, graduates are entitled to use a post nominal after their name to indicate their successful completion of the qualification.

For further information about NAFD Training and Qualifications, please contact the NAFD Education team on trainingadmin@ nafd.org.uk, call 0121 711 1343 - or visit nafdeducation.org.uk Full details of the courses and fees can be found on this site.

NAFD launches Consumer Information Awards in Scotland The NAFD is launching Consumer Information Awards (Scotland) for members who show exceptional customer service in respect of the provision of information.

To support the overall drive towards setting the highest standards in Scotland, silver and gold awards are available to firms which meet an agreed set of standards, including the display of prices, NAFD Code of Practice and NAFD Resolve details clearly on display, together with displaying price details on websites and meeting NAFD standards on service areas such as providing detailed estimates and invoicing.

How many hours does it take to arrange a funeral?

To support the submissions it is making on behalf of members to the Competition & Markets Authority, the NAFD has undertaken a comparison of the number of employee hours it takes to arrange a straightforward traditional funeral today, compared to a decade ago.

The results are based on contributions from small independent or family firms, mid-sized firms and larger providers and is inclusive of collecting, preparing, caring for and storing the deceased person, all liaison with the family - including facilitating visits to see their loved one - booking all arrangements and completing paperwork, carrying out a typical funeral service, following up payment and arranging any memorial items.

The initial results suggest that it takes, on average, twenty hours more today to arrange a funeral than in 2009 (52 hours, 42 minutes, compared to 32 hours, 53 minutes).

The personalisation and increasing complexity is the main contributor to the change. For example, there is a more than two-fold increase in the length of time the average arrangement meeting lasts (two hours, compared to just under 40 minutes). Previously, there were fewer variables in funeral arrangements, so the meeting generally completed in a shorter period of time. Today, not only are meetings often more complex but members reported more instances of abandonment, where meetings do not end in a contract to arrange the funeral as people are now encouraged to shop around. However, also contributing to the change is an increase in delays associated with statutory requirements, such as death registration and dealing with coroners/procurators fiscal.

The NAFD is now undertaking a larger exercise to see how these figures compare to other firm’s experiences. For some businesses, the average hours may be fewer but, for others, greater. For example, one medium-sized firm has calculated the average ‘employee weeks’ per funeral in their business today, compared to when they joined the business, because of the changing nature of the funerals they are arranging. They reported that: “we currently need 1.85 employee weeks to deliver a funeral (74 hours). This is an increase of 85% in 40 years.”

 rough our own personal experience we received the inspiration to set up Treasured Keepsakes, to give people a wide variety of options upon a loved one’s passing should they choose to keep a lock of hair, cremated remains, a piece of jewellery, a photograph or anything that is a personal reminder of their loved one in a small keepsake, keepsake pendant or urn.

Funeral directors we are currently working with have tailored our service to suit their needs. We have two options of how our service can work for you. If you wish you can buy our products from us at a wholesale price and sell them directly to your clients. Alternatively we can o er this service to your clients directly.

We would hope that by recommending our service we will enhance and add value to your business at no extra cost to you.

For more information contact us or visit our website Tel: 01 825 4579 From NI: 00353 1 825 4579 info@treasuredkeepsakes.ie www.treasuredkeepsakes.ie