National Association of Funeral Directors

National Association of Funeral Directors The voice of the profession The NAFD is the voice of the funeral profession.

We are proud to represent the views and interests of funeral directors from the smallest independent to the largest national provider. Our goal is to support our members in caring for the bereaved and the deceased in their care, as well as amplifying our members' voices to ensure that the funeral sector is front and centre in the media and in all of the UK’s Parliaments and Assemblies. The NAFD is the largest trade association for the UK funeral sector with around 4,000 funeral homes represented alongside hundreds of funeral sector suppliers and international funeral firms. The size and diversity of our membership gives us the authority to represent the sector’s views to the highest levels of Government as well as the media and general public.

02/09/2025

A big thank you to all those members in the North East who joined us in Newcastle or online yesterday for the first member meeting in that area for a while.

Attendees heard about alkaline hydrolysis from Helen Chandler at Kindly Earth, discussed local issues and agreed to meet again as we work to reinvigorate this area.

Our next meeting in the North East is at JC Atkinson in Washington, from 6:30-9pm on Tuesday 25 November. Members are also welcome to arrive early for a tour of their recently renovated facility.

If you are a member of the NAFD who is keen to attend, or you are considering membership and want to try it out - come along and join in!

To express your interest, email Doug Nairn on Doug.nairn@nafd.org.uk

The NAFD is proud to welcome SEIB as a KEY SPONSOR and J.C.Atkinson as our SUSTAINABILITY SPONSOR for this year’s Confer...
02/09/2025

The NAFD is proud to welcome SEIB as a KEY SPONSOR and J.C.Atkinson as our SUSTAINABILITY SPONSOR for this year’s Conference, taking place from 11–14 September at the De Vere Cotswold Water Park Hotel.

As Key Sponsor, SEIB is helping us deliver an exceptional experience for delegates, supporting key sessions and enhancing the overall atmosphere of the event. Their commitment reflects a strong dedication to the profession and the people who shape it.

As Sustainability Sponsor, J.C.Atkinson is driving our efforts to reduce the environmental impact of the Conference, while championing the importance of sustainability across the funeral sector. Their support highlights the value of future-focused thinking within our profession.

Together, these partnerships ensure the Conference remains an inspiring space for learning, collaboration and connection, while also keeping an eye firmly on the future of the profession.

❗️North East Meeting Tonight❗️The NAFD are meeting tonight in Newcastle, so, if you are a member in the North East, come...
01/09/2025

❗️North East Meeting Tonight❗️

The NAFD are meeting tonight in Newcastle, so, if you are a member in the North East, come and meet us at The Common Room in Neville Hall from 6:30pm to 9pm.

Guest speaker, Helen Chandler, from local firm Kindly Earth, will talk about resomation and invite follow up visits to her business.

Members will hear updates from Acting President, Darryl Smith, and Director of Membership, Communication & Culture, Doug Nairn will discuss the NAFD’s future in the North East.

Interested in pushing the sector forward and meeting new people? Come along today at 6:30pm or email Doug directly on doug.nairn@nafd.org.uk for more details.

Grief AwarenessToday is National Grief Awareness Day – a time to think about how we grieve and the impact grief has on u...
30/08/2025

Grief Awareness

Today is National Grief Awareness Day – a time to think about how we grieve and the impact grief has on us. The NAFD represents funeral directors, mortuary workers and supplier members across the UK - professionals who help others to navigate grief and loss.

We spoke to some of our members about how they help bereaved people and their own colleagues to process grief.

In 2024, William Purves Funeral Directors, who operate across Scotland and Northern England, launched an internal Grief First Aid programme to teach colleagues how to help those facing loss.

In the same way you might give first aid to someone with a physical injury, William Purves staff members are encouraged to minimise a critical situation before handing over to an experienced professional with deep, specific training.

In Northern Ireland, Past President Stephen Larkin has supported the parents of stillborn babies under 24-weeks-old by securing certificates to mark their baby’s death - something that hasn’t been available up to this point.

Stephen said: “It is important for parents and families to be able to grieve, and part of that is commemorating the life of their premature baby. The Baby Loss Bill will help parents on that journey, and we are proud of our work to lobby MLAs for this change to the current system.”

Grief plays a role in all our lives, especially those of our members, who deal with loss on a daily basis. Today we mark Grief Awareness Day and will share more stories from members during Grief Awareness Week this December.

The NAFD is delighted to welcome COLEMAN MILNE as a valued sponsor of this year’s conference, taking place from 11 - 14 ...
28/08/2025

The NAFD is delighted to welcome COLEMAN MILNE as a valued sponsor of this year’s conference, taking place from 11 - 14 September at De Vere Cotswold Water Park Hotel.

Their sponsorship spans across multiple touchpoints of the event, including the striking vehicle display on the front lawn, the ever-popular tea and coffee breaks where delegates connect and a dedicated business session that contributes to the professional conversations shaping our sector.

This commitment helps us deliver a memorable and engaging programme while underlining COLEMAN MILNE’s dedication to the funeral profession.

Bookings for this year’s NAFD Conference are now closed. We are excited to welcome all those who have secured their plac...
23/08/2025

Bookings for this year’s NAFD Conference are now closed.

We are excited to welcome all those who have secured their place and look forward to an inspiring few days of learning, connection and celebration.

If you are a member wishing to attend the AGM, you are very welcome to join us but please note that no accommodation is available.

We cannot wait to see everyone there, to share ideas, strengthen relationships and enjoy the very best of our profession coming together.

22/08/2025

“If we were building the system from scratch, we wouldn’t build it this way”

The NAFD's Director of External Affairs, Rachel Bradburne, recently appeared on Past President, John Adams’ podcast - Death: A Changing Industry.

They discussed changes in the UK funeral sector, consumer expectations, the outdated regulatory framework and pressure on funeral directors across the country.

Listen now: tinyurl.com/Full-Podcast-DACI

New Mortuary QualificationThe NAFD are delighted to now offer a mortuary-specific qualification with the Royal Society f...
18/08/2025

New Mortuary Qualification

The NAFD are delighted to now offer a mortuary-specific qualification with the Royal Society for Public Health - nationally recognised as the Level 2 Certificate in Mortuary Support for Mortuary Workers (Funeral Service Operatives and Funeral Directors).

Modules will cover infection control, health and safety, mortuary related teamwork and communication and the preparation and operation of a mortuary.
Combining elements of the Funeral Director Code of Practice with quality-managed ways of working and standardised training, this technical training will support funeral service professionals to develop their understanding of the skills and knowledge required to support the safe and effective operation of a funeral business mortuary.

For further details visit our website now. Applications close on Monday 29 September.
https://lnkd.in/eU8AS_xy

17/08/2025

Join us for an unforgettable black tie evening as we celebrate 120 remarkable years of the National Association of Funeral Directors. Honouring our Acting President at the prestigious Presidential Banquet - SATURDAY 13.09 as part of Conference 2025.

This is more than a meal, it is a glittering occasion filled with elegance, smiles and celebration. Guests will enjoy a hand-picked, multi course menu paired with fine wines, served in a beautifully dressed venue where every detail reflects sophistication.

The evening will feature captivating live entertainment, heartfelt speeches, and moments of laughter amongst connections old and new.

After dinner, the dance floor comes alive with a night of music, laughter and conversation. Together we will toast the NAFD’s proud legacy, celebrate our shared journey and look ahead with purpose to the future!

Final tickets available for Saturday, BOOK HERE - tinyurl.com/nafd-BOOK-NOW

The NAFD is reinvigorating local member groups, providing a forum for members to meet, discuss the funeral sector and ne...
15/08/2025

The NAFD is reinvigorating local member groups, providing a forum for members to meet, discuss the funeral sector and network with each other.

If you are one of our members in the North East, we would love to see you at our first meeting in Newcastle on Monday 1 September, 6:30-9pm, with hot drinks and a buffet.

Guest speaker, Helen Chandler from Kindly Earth, will discuss alkaline hydrolysis and invite visits to her business.

Acting President, Darryl Smith, and Director of Membership, Communication & Culture, Doug Nairn, will be there with updates on national events and to discuss next steps for the NAFD in the North East.

We are increasingly moving towards hybrid meetings, so even if you can't be there, you can join via Teams. To register your interest, and get the venue and other details, email Doug directly on doug.nairn@nafd.org.uk

⚖️Legacy Funeral Directors, Hull⚖️Robert Bush, owner of Hull's Legacy Independent Funeral Directors, appeared in court t...
13/08/2025

⚖️Legacy Funeral Directors, Hull⚖️

Robert Bush, owner of Hull's Legacy Independent Funeral Directors, appeared in court today but did not enter a plea for any of the 65 charges he faces, which includes 30 counts of preventing a lawful burial.

The defence was not in position to proceed because of the large number of papers related to the case, so an adjourned plea and trial preparation hearing is now scheduled for Wednesday, 15 October at 2pm, and is estimated to last about two hours.

The situation in Hull is truly awful, and this delay will prolong the suffering for the loved ones of the deceased concerned and the local community. Our thoughts are with them.

The NAFD would like to highlight the fact that events like this are extremely rare and serve to underline just how important it is to select a reputable funeral director. We only get one chance to say goodbye, so it is incredibly important to get it right.

Funerals matter, and by choosing an NAFD member, bereaved families can be reassured that they have picked a funeral director who abides by the Funeral Director Code, and who is inspected by one of our expert team of Standards and Quality Managers.

We will report back to members after the adjourned plea and trial preparation hearing in October.

It’s here – the full NAFD 2025 Conference agenda is live! From inspiring keynote sessions and vital debates to networkin...
12/08/2025

It’s here – the full NAFD 2025 Conference agenda is live!

From inspiring keynote sessions and vital debates to networking evenings, our line-up is packed with insight, ideas, and entertainment.
Be there for the AGM, expert talks, Variety Night, the President’s Banquet, and more.

Spaces are limited - secure your place today and be part of shaping our profession’s future.

Book Here - tinyurl.com/nafd-BOOK-NOW

Address

618 Warwick Road
Solihull
B911AA

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+441217111343

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