Birmingham funeral director takes on key international trade association role

A funeral director from the West Midlands has been appointed to a key position at a global trade association which promotes high standards and learning amongst family-run firms.

Derek Case, owner of Mortons Funeral Directors in Birmingham, has taken on the role of European chairman of Selected Independent Funeral Homes for 2019.

The post will see Case, who has worked for Mortons for some 40 years, preside over meetings of the global organisation at a time when the profession faces a unique set of challenges and opportunities. The appointment comes as the organisation marks 100 years of serving independent funeral directors around the world.

Case said: “Selected members are admitted to the organisation by invitation only following recognition of consistent high standards, so I’m incredibly honoured to be the group’s European Chairman in 2019. The funeral profession faces a number of challenges such as the change in funeral trends and new standards that come with regulation.

“By working together, we can ensure independent funeral homes are able to meet these challenges and continue providing outstanding care and support to bereaved families across the UK and Europe.”

He added: “The association will also play a constructive role within the funeral profession at European level, as Brexit rolls on. There might be changes to international agreements and regulatory frameworks, but we’re determined that strong friendships will endure and sharing best practice will continue.”

Selected Independent Funeral Homes, which celebrates its centenary in 2018, exists to provide resources, solutions and support to independent funeral directors around the world. Case, who will chair meetings of the association in Luneberg, Germany, in March, and Marlow-on-Thames, England in June, takes over the role from Michael Schutt, of Seeman and Soehne in Hamburg, Germany. The handover took place at a ceremony at the Sheraton Grand Park Hotel in London.