In October 2020, the NAFD launched an ambitious Five-Year Strategy covering 2022-2027. Called Focusing on the Future, it sets out bold and innovative plans for the Association to ensure it is well-equipped to support members through the myriad of issues facing the profession.
Launched after extensive consultation with members and external stakeholders, Focusing on the Future is based around the principle that it is far better for the NAFD to proactively shape the future of the funerals sector, than to simply wait to be subject to it and it is underpinned by the NAFD’s Mission Statement, which is “to be an inclusive and progressive advocate for the funeral profession and bereaved people in all four nations of the United Kingdom.”
During the first year of the strategy, projects getting underway include:
- A root and branch review of NAFD’s member benefits, exploring how the NAFD can best support the needs of a diverse range of funeral businesses.
- Consulting widely with members on plans to reinvigorate the local association and area federation network with additional support from National Office.
- Working towards achieving awarding body accreditation for NAFD training programmes.
- Piloting an ambitious online NAFD Learning Hub programme for Continuous Professional Development, the NAFD Learning Hub.
- Establishing a peer-reviewed, technical, higher-level publication during 2022.
- Hosting a second NAFD Summer School event in 2022, in conjunction with Durham University.
- Working to develop the Northern Ireland Cross Party Group for Funerals and Bereavement – having secured its relaunch at the end of 2021.
- Developing blogging and podcast projects to broaden understanding about funerals and the funeral profession.
- Working in partnership with leading bereavement charities to ensure all school children have access to bereavement education within a school setting.
- Playing a greater role in addressing both sustainability issues and a cultural shift in the sector which places equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of the profession.
- Shaping changes to burial and cremation law, campaigning to retain those elements which have improved the death registration and certification process during the COVID-19 and ensuring the law encompasses reasonable regulations for alternative disposal methods.
- Pressing for Category 2 responder status for funeral directors in the Civil Contingencies Act.
- Hosting the National Funeral Exhibition – at Stoneleigh Park, from 10-12 June 2022.
- Supporting the transition of standards monitoring to the new Independent Funeral Standards Organisation.