Emily is re-elected to the NAFD Executive Board

Emily Houghton, Director of Operations for Rosedale Funeral Home, has been featured in the Funeral Director Monthly magazine having been re-elected to the NAFD Executive Board after having first been elected in 2023.

A qualified tutor for the National Association of Funeral Directors, she also sits on the NAFD Disciplinary Committee and the Board of Education.

“I am a first-generation funeral director and have over twenty-two years of experience in the profession. Although management is different to being a hands-on funeral director every day, I am still just as passionate as I was when I started. Whether I am working with the team to create funerals for clients, conducting, supporting a bereavement group or delivering a training course for colleagues or NAFD students, I am just as excited about – and committed to making sure everybody has got the tools they need to thrive and to care for those who are grieving or have died as I was when I first entered the profession two decades ago.

I am not afraid to speak my mind and do not shy away from difficult conversations, which I think is important when you are elected to represent the membership on a national committee. My cross-section of experience means that I can see different viewpoints and understand there are many different ways to achieve the same core values and goals. It is great that we have such a diverse range of members on the Executive Board. As someone who has worked for both corporates and independent firms, I believe that it is essential to consider everyone’s opinion. It is about the people who work in the businesses and both large and small firms bring something important to the table.

As you might expect, am a great believer in Continuing Professional Development and am always learning new skills and seeking out new experiences or sharing best practice. I would highly recommend members to take a look at NAFD Inspire, it provides a straightforward and cost effective way to ensure employees keep up to date with important developments and sector knowledge, in bitesize chunks that work well with the rhythm of working in a busy funeral home.

I have always been a champion for diversity and equal opportunities and am very proud of the work we do at Rosedale to help make sure all marginalised communities feel included and heard, I was delighted to be asked to sit on the NAFD’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee and would welcome additional members of the committee from among the membership to ensure that we hear from all voices in, or involved with, the funeral sector. I am also committed to addressing the issue of well-being. The mental health of funeral directors is often overlooked, and it is important that we learn how to take time out to care for ourselves properly. It is certainly something I have had to consciously learn.

Outside of work you will find me either exploring National Trust and English Heritage properties with my daughter or enjoying live music. I am a particular fan of Nineties indie bands like The Verve and was lucky enough to see Foo Fighters live in the UK last year. I really enjoy getting involved in Rosedale’s fundraising efforts for our charity of the year in honour of our twentieth anniversary as a business, we have raised more than £5,000 already this year for Guide Dogs.

I really enjoy my roles on the NAFD’s Executive Board and committees. To me, the NAFD is a platform for driving change. The profession has never changed so quickly as it has in recent years and it excites me to be part of it.”