Day OneIoCF
Chair Karen Hopkins opened Conference by welcoming everyone and then
giving a brief outline of the weekend's programme. The programme is put
together with members in mind - we are always looking out for things
which you will find interesting, helpful, inspiring. If you have any
ideas for future conferences or seminar days, do send Barbara your
thoughts - all suggestions gratefully received. | Our opening speaker was Mandie Lavin, CEO of NAFD. Following
the passing of the Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Act 2016, and the
appointment of Natalie McKail as Statutory Inspector of Funeral
Directors, the funeral industry in Scotland has committed to work with
the Scottish Government to introduce regulation to the sector. Mandie
has been working closely with the Scottish Government on this subject,
and was able to offer an invaluable insight into what impact the Act may
have in determining regulation in the future - both in Scotland and the
UK as a whole. Speaking
about her role in the NAFD and how she has been working to bring
regulation south of the border, Mandie indicated that NAFD may in future
hold a list of accredited organisations across the country, including
accredited celebrants. Interestingly this 'register of celebrants'
would include information regarding CPD, feedback, assessment and code
of conduct by which they should operate - in fact, everything which the
IoCF already does! | | An
Independent Celebrants Meeting has been arranged for the end of
November to begin discussions around regulation and the IoCF will be in
attendance. | Our second speaker, Alan Jose, Group Ambassador of the Westerleigh Group,
described the changes in the funeral industry from a Westerleigh
perspective. The Westerleigh Group is the leading developer and
operator of crematoria and cemeteries in the UK. Having spent
almost his entire career working in crematoria and cemeteries across the
country in both the public and private sector, Alan was able to offer a
view on the need for more modern facilities which offer a wider range
of services to the public for saying goodbye to their loved ones. The final speaker of the morning session was our very own Ann Adlem.
Ann has been the driving force behind our private Facebook group, which
has proved to be a successful forum for discussion and advice since it
was launched in 2015. Ann
gave some tips about how to use the page to its full potential, and
reminded everyone to use CAPITAL LETTERS at the beginning of each post
so that it is easily recognisable, and to FILE any documents for ease of
reference for the future. | After the lunch break, Steve Blakeley, who is both an Actor and a Member of the Institute, provided
everyone with an insight into how and when to use humour within
ceremonies. Everyone agreed that it is important to include
humour, however, the punch line can fall flat when you tell a story in
someone else's words. Steve explained that it is still important
to tell that story, even if you change the wording slightly to put it
across in your way, because it is a part of the deceased's life and it
remains significant to the family at such a difficult time. | | Finally, Sandy Sullivan, Founder and Director of Resomation,
spoke about an alternative to burial and cremation that potentially
offers significant environmental benefits as well as being a much calmer
and quieter process than cremation. This human end of life option
is widely available in the US and it is Sandy's vision to develop the
process and make it more accessible within the UK. Ann
Adlem is hoping to be able to visit a funeral home in the States
offering Resomation this month during a personal visit to Minnesota and
will report back in a future newsletter. | |
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