Birmingham SAIF Member takes on key role at global trade association

A leading independent funeral director from the West
Midlands has been appointed to a key position at a global trade association
which promotes high standards and learning among 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 Derek, 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.

Derek 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.”

Selected Independent Funeral Homes, which celebrates its
centenary in 2018, exists to provide resources, solutions and support to
independent funeral directors around the world. Derek, 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.