Stormont reception recognises the contribution of Northern Ireland’s funeral directors

A reception at the Parliament Buildings, Stormont, to acknowledge the key contribution made by funeral directors to Northern Ireland’s community over the years was attended by around 100 representatives of the funeral sector from right across the Province.

Arranged by the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) – the trade association representing the interests of 80% of UK funeral directors – and co-hosted by David McClarty MLA, Chairman of the All Party Assembly Group on Funerals and Bereavement, and the Group’s Secretary Mervyn Storey MLA, the event helped to build the relationship between the profession and the Northern Ireland Assembly.

The event recognised the important work that the Group does in Northern Ireland’s legislature, allowing funeral professionals to learn more about the Group’s activities and meet Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) with a special interest in funeral and bereavement matters.

Importantly, it also gave politicians a chance to engage with funeral directors – many of whom are their own constituents – and talk informally about the kind of problems the funeral industry in Northern Ireland faces and the impact on both funeral firms and bereaved families of legislation relating to devolved issues such as health, the environment and transport.

“We were delighted to welcome funeral directors from right across the Province and I feel sure that the reception helped both funeral directors and MLAs gain a better understanding of each other’s role so that we can all work together for the benefit of the bereaved,” said the NAFD’s chief executive officer Alan Slater.