About Us – National Association of Funeral Directors

ABOUT NAFD

ABOUT THE NAFD

As the largest and most inclusive representative body for the UK funeral profession, the National Association of Funeral Directors supports its members in delivering high standards of care for those who have died and provides bereaved people with information and assurance to help them choose a compassionate, professional and experienced funeral director that they can trust.

Established in 1905, the NAFD represents the entire spectrum of funeral directing businesses, including independent and family-owned firms, co-operatives and major funeral groups, NAFD has more than 3,800 UK funeral homes in membership<, as well as international firms and suppliers to the sector – providing advice, advocacy, education and support to help them meet the highest professional standards

A founding member of the Deceased Management AdvisoryGroup, with 116 years of experience to draw upon, the NAFD campaigns on a wide range of funeral and bereavement issues. We are a trusted advisor to Government, helping to shape the policy landscape in all four UK nations; we provide funeral consumers with advice on choosing a funeral director; we deliver a comprehensive framework of training and qualifications to help funeral service employees provide compassionate and exemplary professional care; and we host regional and national events that bring the profession together, including the biennial National Funeral Exhibition – one of the world’s leading funeral sector events.

The NAFD also sets high standards for its members.

NAFD member firms must abide by the Funeral Director Code – our comprehensive code of practice, developed on consultation with the wider sector and consumer organisations. Funeral home members are regularly inspected by the NAFD inspectorate team and are offered guidance and support in reaching the highest standards. We also provide access to an independent complaints scheme for funeral consumers, NAFD Resolve, which operated on our behalf by the Centre of Effective Dispute Resolution.

GOVERNANCE

The NAFD was incorporated as a Company Limited by Guarantee on 1 January 2019, as part of a wide-ranging programme of Governance Change.

The NAFD Governing Board oversees Association governance, including the work of the committees, the Chief Executive and the National Office team.

The Governing Board comprises the four Officers of the Association, the CEO and co-opted volunteer members as required. The Governing Board is also responsible for continuing to develop the Association’s governance arrangements, to ensure they are fit for purpose in a rapidly changing world.

The NAFD Executive, a larger group drawn from the membership, focuses on wider strategic, policy-related and other industry and member matters – to ensure that the NAFD is operating effectively, is fully prepared for all operational and strategic issues likely to come its way and that the voice of all sections of the membership is fully heard and accommodated in decision making.

Our latest set of accounts can be found below.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

Embracing our responsibility to people and to the environment.

OUR VALUES

The NAFD’s mission is to be an inclusive and progressive advocate for the funeral profession and bereaved people in all four nations of the United Kingdom.

We do this by promoting high standards, providing resources to support our members in caring for deceased and bereaved people – and ensuring consumers can make informed decisions.

The NAFD has four core values that guide everything it does.

Progressive – the NAFD leads not follows – and is always looking to develop it’s insight, services and expertise.
Inclusive – the NAFD seeks to understand, support and reflect the needs of all stakeholders.
Knowledgeable – the NAFD works hard to ensure it is considered an expert witness and source of insight on funeral matters and is committed to continuously improving its understanding.
Trustworthy – the NAFD is responsible, respectful and dependable; it inspires confidence and acts with integrity

INDEPENDENT

Independent of any single funding body or organisation we are inclusive, welcoming members from right across the spectrum of the industry.

INCLUSIVE

Our member companies range from small family businesses to PLCs and Co-operatives, between them conducting in excess of 470,000 funerals every year.

INDUSTRY LEADER

The Association ensures that its members set the highest standards of customer care in the industry through a robust Code of Practice, Code of Professional Standards and independent arbitration service.