As alarming as it sounds, anyone can start up in business as a funeral director – regardless of their knowledge, experience or even their character. Historically, often builders would work as undertakers, using their carpentry skills to build coffins; and while this was practical on some levels, the overlap and similarity between the two professions was minimal beyond this point.
Currently, the funeral industry remains self-regulating… but many, both in and outside of the sector, agree that this is simply not good enough.
Hunnaball Family Funeral Group was established over 40 years ago to provide funeral services with the greatest of care, dignity and expertise. As longstanding members of the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD), we fully support their call for a regulatory framework, which is inclusive and proportionate, and underpinned by government.
Some less scrupulous people may see the funeral business as nothing more than a way of making money and when this is the case, many would suggest that they’re in the sector for all the wrong reasons. Formal regulation would serve to recognise and highlight the potential problems that can, and do, occur when businesses are not working in the most respectful and dignified manner. Action needs to be taken to ensure that bad practice is eliminated.
As funeral directors, we have always viewed our profession as rooted in compassion and empathy. We do it because we care… and we are proud to be able to provide that care to people during what is often one of the worst times of their lives. In an emotional, stressful and abnormal situation, we try to make everything as normal as possible, helping people on their grief journey with both practical and emotional support.
We believe that the families of the deceased deserve to know their loved one will always be treated with dignity and respect, which is at the heart of our ethos. To us, the next funeral is always the most important one. We are driven by that desire and call to serve the deceased and their families, with dignity and understanding, and to the best of our ability, every day.
The NAFD has reiterated their call for a five-year strategy to ensure responsible leadership rather than the self-regulatory approach which currently means some funeral firms can opt out of scrutiny. We look forward to more news in the coming months.
Our team are always here to help with funeral planning and more, and we are happy to answer any questions you may have about the care we provide and we are open and transparent about the processes that enable us to do so.
Please don’t hesitate to get in contact; reach out to the team in your local Hunnaball branch, email admin@hunnaball.co.uk or call in-branch on 01206 760049.
