Co-operative Funeralcare boss takes up NAFD role
The head of Funeralcare at Central England Co-operative has taken up a key position within the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD). Kevin Crute is now a member of the NAFD executive following a recent election at its annual general meeting in Brighton.
The new role will allow Kevin, who has worked in his role for two years, to contribute to the work of the NAFD and its members.
He said: “I am passionate about ensuring that the funeral industry is seen at all times as a respected profession and that we promote this professionalism to the wider public.
“We all carry out life changing work, supporting people in the most difficult of circumstances and this provides us with a privileged opportunity to enhance memories in love in the communities we serve.”
Kevin currently oversees 800 colleagues across 127 funeral homes, ten florists, a masonry business, a coffin factory and a crematorium in Derbyshire.
The Society operates across 16 counties from the Midlands to East Anglia. Kevin first decided to enter the funeral industry following his experiences after the passing of his mother.
He said: “My mother had passed away from cancer and I sat in the limousine driving to the crematorium starring at the ripped upholstery of the seat in front of me.
“I said to myself there and then that I think I could make a difference if I worked in funeral.
“A couple of days later I had a speculative call from a head-hunter telling me they had a brilliant opportunity but it was not ‘everyone’s cup of tea’.
“I knew before she told me what the role was and that it was in the funeral profession. I think they were most surprised at my enthusiastic response!
“My overwhelming memory of my mother’s funeral was this ripped upholstery – it is a fundamental belief of mine that we in the funeral profession should do everything possible to ensure that the arrangements and ceremony focus solely on the memories and love families have for those they have lost.”
People can find out more about Central England Co-operative Funeralcare by visiting www.centralengland.coop/
