Thomas Sneddon: Family firm sees daughter become one of the youngest fully qualified funeral directors
Thomas Sneddon Family Funeral Directors’ Megan Sneddon is now a professionally qualified funeral director, making her one of the youngest qualified funeral directors in Scotland.
The now 25-year-old joined the family-run business as a trainee funeral director in 2019, serving the communities of Falkirk District and North Lanarkshire.
After several years of studying the industry, she enrolled with the National Association of Funeral Directors and was selected to start her diploma in Funeral Directing, or Dip.FD, before successfully completing her final examinations to become a recognised funeral director.
Megan explains the importance of holding a diploma in Funeral Directing, which ensures she can provide the best standard of care to the families and deceased.
Megan SneddonIt is my belief that every family and deceased person should receive the highest standard of professional care. This can only be achieved by having the correct knowledge and foundations of the industry.
Call for more regulation
There is currently no legal requirement for qualifications in the UK to operate as a funeral director.
However, March 1 next year will see the first step of regulation introduced, when anyone operating as a funeral director will be required to comply with a strict code of practice.
Company Director Tom Sneddon said: “We are hopeful that in the future requirements may include professional training and qualifications.”
He added: “To date, the Dip.FD is the highest recognised qualification in funeral directing, fully approved by the National Association of Funeral Directors and recognised as a university-level degree.”
Thomas Sneddon Family Funeral Directors is one of the few companies in the Falkirk district area with multiple staff members holding Dip.FD certificates.
A funeral firm that families can trust
During her course, Megan completed extensive training and studying which covered demanding topics such as Bequeathal, The 2004 and 2006 Human Tissue Act, Burial at sea and Repatriation. She also studied coping with grief and the professional care of a deceased person, as well as other topics.
All modules included all the legal requirements and necessary paperwork to arrange a funeral, a process which differs between England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.
Megan completed her examinations at the end of 2022, when she was just 23 years, and was recently invited to Windsor to receive her diploma by the National Association of Funeral Directors.
“It is disappointing that the industry to date is still unregulated, with many members of the public assuming that qualifications are necessary to operate as a funeral director,” she adds.
“Just as doctors and nurses require qualifications to practise, I believe this should also be the case for the funeral industry and we are hopeful this can change in the near future.”
Get in touch
To contact Thomas Sneddon Family Funeral Directors, email [email protected] or visit their Facebook page www.facebook.com/thomassneddonfuneraldirectors.
Thomas Sneddon The Family Funeral Directors
16 Dundas Street, Grangemouth FK3 8BX - call 01324 472462
Gribben & Sneddon The Family Funeral Directors
485 Main Street, Coatbridge ML5 3RD - call 01236 710222