The ninth annual National Burial Council (NBC) conference on September 14 in Leicester focused on key reforms, including new death certification laws and the Medical Examiner System introduced on September 9.
The reforms require an independent review of all non-coronial deaths in England and Wales, marking the biggest change in bereavement services in 50 years. Over 250 attendees, including funeral directors, healthcare workers, and regional reps, gathered to discuss the future of end-of-life care. Concerns from Muslim communities were a key focus throughout the event.
In his opening address, NBC Chair Mohamed Omer MBE reflected on the challenges posed by the reforms while emphasising the importance of collaboration across the sector. He highlighted the need for strong partnerships between funeral directors, local authorities, and other stakeholders to ensure smooth implementation of the new processes. “Despite the hurdles, we are committed to improving timely burials and advocating for the dignity of the deceased,” Omer said. He also expressed his support for the growing use of non-invasive autopsies, a practice promoted by the NBC to honour both the deceased and their families.
The NBC has launched digital autopsy services in Manchester, Leicester, and London, hoping to expand this innovation to additional regions.
A major highlight of the event was an address by Professor Alan Fletcher, National Medical Examiner for England and Wales. He provided an update on the first week of the Medical Examiner System’s operation, noting the challenges faced but also the successes achieved in this early phase. Professor Fletcher underscored the importance of Medical Examiner services in supporting timely burials, particularly for faith communities. “Our goal is to ensure that local Medical Examiner services are attuned to the needs of their communities, especially when it comes to providing timely and compassionate care,” he stated.
Outside of the conference, Baroness Merron, Junior Minister for Patient Safety, shared her views on the impact these reforms will have on the Muslim community, particularly in relation to burial practices. Speaking to *The Muslim News*, she said: “These reforms will offer crucial support to the bereaved as well as vital improvements to patient safety, and I wish to share my gratitude to all those involved in delivering them. That includes the Gardens of Peace Muslim cemetery, which has been closely involved in this process. A key concern of faith groups has been the impact of medical examiner scrutiny delaying funerals, and this has been an important consideration when designing these reforms.”
Baroness Merron also reassured that the system has built-in mechanisms to address the religious needs of the community. “I am pleased to say that there is provision within the new system to minimise the potential of delays to burial to allow for the religious practices of the deceased and their family to be respected. Rapid release can be requested to prioritise cases that require urgent attention, and the new measures will be proportionate so as not to impose undue delays on the bereaved in the difficult moments following a death,” she added.
Terry Davies, Deputy Director at the Ministry of Justice, spoke about the complexity of the reforms, noting that they required changes to eight separate pieces of legislation and involved multiple government departments. “These reforms represent the biggest shift in bereavement services in over half a century,” Davies said, acknowledging the intricate nature of the changes and their broad-reaching implications.
HM Coroners Dr James Adeley, Senior Coroner for Lancashire, and Catherine Mason, Senior Coroner for Leicester City, provided a coronial perspective on the reforms. They discussed the critical role of the coroners in the newly implemented processes and how these changes will enhance the overall integrity of bereavement services.
The conference also featured a range of workshops and presentations covering topics such as advanced care planning, the Medical Examiner service, and death reforms. These sessions offered attendees practical insights and an opportunity to engage with leading experts in the field. A common thread throughout the discussions was the emphasis on maintaining dignity and respect for the deceased.
Photo: Mohamed Omer MBE, Chair of the NBC, addresses attendees at the Ninth Annual National Burial Council Conference. Inset: Baroness Merron, Junior Minister for Patient Safety, who earlier in the week praised the new Death Certification Reforms and the statutory Medical Examiner System. mage courtesy of NBC/Photo of Baroness Merron: UK Parliament)
