On Tuesday 1 October 2024, the four Independent Funeral Standards Organisation (IFSO) inspectors returned to National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) employment. The remit of the NAFD Inspectorate team remains the same and member funeral homes should experience no difference in the quality of inspections and oversight provided.

NAFD Chief Executive, Andrew Judd, said: “In 2021, the NAFD took the bold decision to try to create an independent regulatory body for the funeral profession, in the public interest, when it became clear that the Government of the day did not intend to do so.

“However, IFSO’s long term success was always dependent upon two things: its ability to become financially sustainable and truly independent, becoming a regulator for funeral homes outside of NAFD membership too – and a clear policy direction from Government supporting the mandatory oversight of standards.

“Until this policy direction emerges from the new Government, the NAFD’s Governing Board has decided to bring the inspection of our member premises in-house, ensuring we continue to deliver high-quality oversight efficiently and effectively. IFSO, as a community interest company, is now dormant; ready and waiting until such time as it is required again.

“We remain extremely proud of the ambition which underpinned the establishment of IFSO. The NAFD acted in the public interest in trying to provide a solution to the need for independent oversight and assurance, as we do not believe self-regulation goes far enough in providing quality assurance to bereaved people.”