Opening the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) Annual Conference on Friday, North Wales MS Mark Isherwood spoke on the work of the Welsh Parliament’s Cross-Party Group (CPG) for Funerals & Bereavement.
Mr Isherwood, who is Chair of the CPG, gave “a warm Welsh welcome” to the Conference and explained that the Group was established to provide a forum for the discussion of funeral and bereavement issues affecting the people of Wales and the professionals who care for them.
He said:
“This is my third term as Chair and, alongside my role as Chair of the Cross Party Group for Hospices and Palliative Care, this has given me a wider insight into the needs of those who lose someone they love, and the issues and challenges faced by the professionals providing services and caring for them.
“Members include Cruse Bereavement Care, Dreams & Wishes, 2 Wish Upon A Star, British Association of Social Workers, Marie Curie, civil and Humanist celebrants, the National Association of Funeral Directors, Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors, Golden Charter, About the Funeral, funeral firms based in Wales, Church and Faith leaders, and others.
“Towards the end of the (Fifth Senedd) term (2016-21), the Coronavirus pandemic became a primary focus of the Group, including highlighting the impact of COVID on grieving people, and the needs of the frontline funeral, burial and cremation key workers, to both the Welsh and UK Governments.
“The Group was re-established in the 6th Senedd after the May 2021 Welsh General Election, when I was re-elected as Chair.”
He added:
“Last month, I met representatives of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Funerals and Bereavement (in Westminster) to discuss the shortage of available grave spaces in many parts of England and Wales and the re-use of graves.
“Although there is tentative support for this, there is also concern over the safeguards and how communications will be managed with the public and, specifically, with families of those buried in graves identified for re-use. The Cross-Party Group will be conducting a consultation exercise to help us arrive at a policy position.”
He concluded: “You have a fantastic Agenda of speakers, events and catching up with colleagues ahead of you, and I only regret that I cannot stay for this myself as I have to travel back to the place I represent and reside in, wonderful North Wales. Have a great Conference!”