Managing director of CPJ Field awarded OBE 

Jeremy Field, the managing director of CPJ Field, has been awarded an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2022 New Year’s Honours List. 

The award is said to recognise the support and advice that he has given to the funeral sector over the course of the pandemic, as well as the “beneficial impact” he has had on bereaved families as they “sought to honour the lives of loved ones”.  

Field’s work over the course of the pandemic reportedly helped hundreds of funeral directors to provide the “best possible care” for thousands of bereaved families across the UK. 

He also helped draft government Covid-19 guidance and provided analysis on the implications of sector capacity to help guide government policy. In addition, he represented the industry at various government briefings. 

Commenting on his impact on the industry, the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) said: “The NAFD has been fortunate to have been supported throughout Covid-19 by a group of funeral directors from across the profession who have provided vital information and shared the experiences of their own businesses, helping the NAFD to advise, reassure and lead the profession through a complex and uncertain time. We simply could not have done it without them.

“Jeremy has been at the very centre of this work – willingly giving up hours of his time, on a 24/7 basis and even during much-needed holiday time, to support the profession – despite facing considerable pressures as a working funeral director in his own family business.” 

Jeremy Field OBE said: “I am incredibly proud and yet hugely humbled to have been singled out for this remarkable honour. To have been appointed OBE is beyond my wildest dreams and was certainly a long way from my thoughts in the darkest times of the last two years. 

“I am extremely fortunate to work in our family company leading a team of extraordinary people whose remarkable efforts 24/7 over the course of the pandemic have made a real difference to the lives of a huge number of people.”   

He added: “It is through the wisdom and knowledge they have shared with me that I’ve been able to make sure that the needs of funeral directors and bereaved families have been front of mind for decision makers throughout. 

“I truly believe that it is because I stand on the shoulders of giants that I have achieved anything deserving of this great honour. I hope that all my family, friends and colleagues can share a little in this award as without you all none of it would ever have happened.”

CPJ Field is a 10th generation family-run business and has supported thousands of families over the last two years of the pandemic and beyond. It is led by siblings Jeremy, Emily and Charles, alongside the board of directors, which includes five members of the Field family.