The National Funeral Directors Association was launched at the Georgetown Chambers of Commerce and Industry’s boardroom during a simple meeting in the presence of representatives of funeral homes across the country.
The association is geared at public education of funeral service and to provide education for its professionals said Dawn Stewart-Lyken, of Lyken Funeral home.
Stewart-Lyken speaking at the event stated that the association was formed to bring parlours into a professional realm. “It’s not just a funeral house,” she opined. She added that the need for an association was the result of a meeting with the Ministry of Health.
The association is already planning to organise training opportunities and to engage in lawful activity to enhance member funeral parlours.
A press release from the association said the goal of the body is “To cultivate and promote the art and science of our profession, to elevate and sustain the professional character of the funeral procession through continuing education and social dialog.”
The association also aims, “To advance the science of embalming and funeral directing and to promote the funeral service, while upholding the honour and dignity of the profession.”
Present at the launching was representatives of Jerrick’s Funeral Home and Lyken’s Funeral Home among others from Linden, Berbice, Essequibo and Georgetown.