23 Aug 2019
The report of the Inspector of Funeral Directors, Scotland, calls for ‘progressive’ licensing scheme
The National Association of Funeral Directors has today (23 August) welcomed publication of the report of the Inspector of Funeral Directors in Scotland, which has been with ministers since the beginning of the year.
The NAFD is particularly pleased to see a recommendation for the phased introduction of a ‘progressive’ licensing scheme for funeral firms in Scotland. This will ensure that the professionalism of all good funeral directors is recognised, support bereaved people in making an informed choice and help to weed out any firms that are not providing high levels of service to bereaved people.
The Association is pleased to note that the inspector has been impressed with the “consistency and quality of participation and engagement from the sector” and has found that funeral directors in Scotland demonstrate “good and improving practice in many areas” – with no evidence found that the sector is “substantially non-compliant.”
NAFD Chief Executive Jon Levett said: “We are delighted to have worked closely with the inspector and civil servants during the initial evidence-gathering period, and to have been able to assist towards the contents of the report.
“We were disappointed to learn that the current inspector, Natalie McKail, would not be continuing in post. Funeral directors in Scotland have invested huge time and resource in assisting the Inspector – at the behest of the Government – and, now that the report is published, we need to understand how the Government intends to proceed with the appointment of a new inspector, to ensure all that hard work doesn’t go to waste.
“From the NAFD’s perspective, Natalie has done an excellent job in assessing the sector, thoroughly and independently, and on behalf of NAFD members we would like to thank for her diligence, constructive challenge and commitment to ensuring high standards in the sector for bereaved people.”
The NAFD looks forward to a ministerial response to this report as soon as possible, to outline the next steps – and urges the government to also proceed swiftly with the appointment of a new inspector, to ensure momentum is not lost.