Funeral Provider Invests in Frontline Qualification for Driver Bearers

Luton-headquartered family funeral service Neville Funerals has recently upskilled several of its Driver Bearers, to complete the Frontline Funeral Service Operations Training Programme (FFSO). Being well-revered for its professional standards, the course provides a clear career path for promotion within the profession.

The FFSO Training Programme is the first qualification made available to Driver Bearers by the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) and recognises the significance of this role within the funeral industry.

Neville Funerals, which is a part of the Neville Trust Group of Companies, has enrolled 20 team members onto the course since March 2022, with 85% achieving certification. The remaining 15% of candidates are due to be certified by the end of this year.

Vicky Trumper, Director of Neville Funerals, said:

“Driver Bearers play a pivotal role to our organisation, being part of the frontline team for liaising with grieving families. Therefore, funding and supporting their education to become accredited by the funeral profession is something we are very passionate about.

“The course involves six modules which include a mixture of assignments and exams to be completed to successfully gain the qualification. With work-place mentors and assessors being available within our company, we have been able to provide flexibility for these candidates, so that they are able to complete their studies to the best of their abilities. These are valued and valuable team members, and we are delighted to be seeing them thrive in the industry.”

Neville Funerals recently conducted an award ceremony, whereby newly qualified individuals were awarded with their certificates. Individuals included Sylwester Kraska, Mark Whaite, Barry Cleverly, Laura Howard, John Huckle, Shantelle Racca, Melissa Hamblin and Curtis McGall. Earlier in the year awards were presented to three further staff who had completed the course – Aaron Cox, Alan Collins and Jack Balcomb.

As certified FFSOs, they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to carry out the functions of funeral service operations, including all physical and administrative responsibilities safely, and with care and consideration.

Vicky continues, “The internal development of our teams is a core part of our ethos within Neville Funerals. We offer all the current NAFD diploma qualifications, as well as those offered by the British Institute of Embalming (BIE). For the NAFD we have our own in-house tutor, Julia Milton, who has many years’ experience within the industry and we work closely with the BIE to ensure that our trainees receive all of the support and guidance that they require. Congratulations to all our FFSO graduates – thoroughly well deserved.”

Neville Funerals is known for investing in its team, training and nurturing everyone to ensure it provides a high-quality funeral service to the people of Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

Its well-reputed Apprenticeship and Trainee Programmes, which operate across business administration, funeral arranging and directing, as well as operational duties, memorial masonry and embalming, offer the next generation of funeral professionals the much-valued hands-on experience alongside high-quality tutelage and college study.?

For more information about Neville Funerals, please visit: https://www.nevillefuneralservice.com/.