Deceased Management Advisory Group

17th August 2022 | Updates

DMAG was formed in March 2020, at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, and includes representatives from each of the following organisations: The Association of Private Crematoria and Cemeteries (APCC); Federation of Burial and Cremation Authorities (FBCA); Funeral Suppliers Association (FSA); Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM); National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD); National Society of Allied & Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF); and The Cremation Society. Funeral care is delivered through a partnership of three distinct providers: funeral directors, cemetery/ crematoria operators and suppliers to the death care sector.

Any significant increase in capacity could only be delivered if there was a high degree of communication and cooperation between all three groups of providers. We realised early in the pandemic that the organisations representing these three groups needed to work closely together and speak with one voice to the government to ensure systems did not become overwhelmed due to the excess deaths caused by the Covid-19 virus and to enable funerals to continue in a way which respected the dignity of deceased persons and the needs of bereaved people.

The close working was recognised by an ‘Association Excellence Award 2021’, pictured above. Having been brought together by the pandemic the group has been considering its future.

We met on the 11th of August 2022, where we recognised that the sector is facing a period of unparalleled change, including:

  • Coronavirus Enquiry
  • Environment Agency – Revision of the Process Guidance Notes (PG5/2 2012) for the operation of Crematoria
  • Full Introduction of the Medical Examiner System in England and Wales
  • Competition and Markets Authority
  • Regulation of Pre-paid Funeral Plans by the Financial Conduct Authority
  • Campaigning for the re-use of Graves
  • DEFRA – Proposed changes to Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016 – (Groundwater Regulations)
  • Law Commission Reform of Burial and Cremation Law

In view of this it was decided that DMAG would continue as a working group to ensure, we can continue to provide a single voice on behalf of the sector.

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