Recently, the NAFD was able to secure an opportunity for Immediate Past President David Barrington to appear on Sky News Breakfast, with presenter Kay Burley, to talk about his experiences – and those of the wider profession – of caring for bereaved people during COVID.
Having spoken eloquently about the challenge of arranging funerals for people who had died and their families, during the pandemic, the topic turned – somewhat Inevitably – to the events of May 2020 and the (alleged) breach of lockdown rules by the Prime Minister.
Kay Burley asked David about the funerals he would have been conducting at the time and the contrast between the experience of families he was looking after and the (at the time, alleged) actions of Number 10 Downing Street.
In these situations, where interviewees are asked something that they probably do have a strong view on, but is outside their subject area – and where there are potential ramifications to getting involved in the argument, it can be extremely challenging to elegantly handle the subject without either looking evasive – or getting too involved.
In what can best be described as a masterclass in media relations, David calmly reminded viewers of the funeral restrictions families were dealing with at the time, expressed his disappointment at the allegations – but kept the focus firmly on his own experiences, without passing judgement.
In total, the interview ran for almost six minutes, providing the profession with another valuable prime time opportunity to share the care, compassion and professionalism with which it played its role during the pandemic.