The Barbados Association of Funeral Directors (BAFD) has issued a forceful call for the complete modernisation of the legislation governing the island’s funeral industry, while expressing frustration over being left out of recent Government discussions regarding the sector’s future.
In a statement released yesterday, BAFD president Ian Griffith acknowledged the ongoing compliance issues at Two Sons Funeral Home, but noted that the root of the problem facing the industry was an antiquated regulatory framework.
As reported in yesterday’s Weekend Nation, in an emergency hearing at the Supreme Court on Wednesday, Chief Justice The Most Honourable Leslie Haynes granted an injunction sought by the Ministry of Health and Wellness to close the mortuary operations of Two Sons Funeral Home, on Stadium Road, Bush Hall, St Michael, for the next six weeks.
It is understood the court action was triggered by long-standing complaints from some residents living in an apartment complex adjacent to the funeral home.
Griffith clarified that the current requirements being enforced at Two Sons were actually protocols established during the COVID-19 pandemic and which the BAFD helped develop alongside the Environmental Health Department and the Ministry of Health and Wellness.
“We understand that Two Sons Funeral Home has already begun taking steps to satisfy the identified requirements, and we acknowledge their commitment to bringing its mortuary facilities into compliance with the applicable standards,” Griffith said. “However, the current situation presents an important opportunity to examine the regulations themselves.”
He said for years, the BAFD had warned successive administrations that the legislation governing the industry was fundamentally flawed.
“Aspects of the existing framework are outdated, lack sufficient clarity and are not comprehensive enough to reflect the realities, risks and professional standards of today’s funeral industry,” the president stated.
The BAFD’s push for reform has taken on a new sense of urgency following recent comments by Minister of Health and Wellness Senator Lisa Cummins, who indicated that discussions are underway with two funeral homes regarding improvements to the legislation.
Griffith expressed deep concern that the BAFD, the recognised representative body for the profession, had been bypassed in these talks.
“While the association welcomes any initiative aimed at strengthening the regulatory framework, we are concerned that there has, to date, been no corresponding consultation with the Barbados Association of Funeral Directors on this legislative initiative,” he said.
“As the recognised representative body for funeral directors in Barbados, we represent professionals with considerable practical experience and technical expertise. It is therefore essential that any legislative reform process includes meaningful consultation with the association and the wider funeral profession.”
He also pushed back against any narrative that the industry had been silent on regulatory matters. He noted that over the past year, the association had actively engaged with the Ministry of Health regarding hospital procedures for handling the dead, and has met with the Coroner’s Office to address operational bottlenecks.
Currently, the association is seeking further engagement regarding the storage of human remains, an area it believes requires immediate, rigorous legislative intervention.
Rather than reacting to individual crises, Griffith argued that Barbados must adopt a holistic approach. He outlined a sweeping vision for a modern regulatory framework that establishes strict, clear standards across a wide spectrum of operations.
“The time has come for Barbados to move beyond piecemeal measures,” Griffith urged.
The BAFD is proposing legislation that clearly governs funeral home facilities, refrigerated storage, the transportation
of remains, infection prevention, occupational health and safety, environmental health requirements and chain-of-custody documentation. Furthermore, it wants legally binding standards for deaths occurring in hospitals, private residences and accidents, alongside robust inspection and licensing enforcement mechanisms.
“Barbados possesses a wealth of professional knowledge and expertise within its funeral industry,” Griffith said, adding that his members hold extensive qualifications in mortuary science and funeral directing. “Our objective is not to resist regulation. Our objective is to achieve better regulation.”
The BAFD is now calling for a structured, multi-agency consultation involving the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the Environmental Health Department, the Coroner’s Office, health care institutions and funeral directors to finally draft legislation that aligns with international best practices.
Griffith charged that this was a matter of public duty and human dignity.
“Our objective is to ensure that every family receives the highest standard of professional care, while every deceased person is treated with dignity, respect and professionalism throughout every stage of the funeral process. That remains the goal of the Barbados Association of Funeral Directors.” (MB)
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