Whakatane local, 30-year-old Bradley Shaw, has become the youngest ever President of the Funeral Directors Association of New Zealand.
Mr Shaw, who began in the funeral profession when he was 16 years old, has served on the Association Board as the Vice President over the last year and says the opportunity to take over the Presidency is a way to give back.
“My funeral home has always been a part of the Association, and the standards, ethics and benchmarking of where the industry should be at are a really important reason I think every funeral home should belong,” says Mr Shaw.
“At the same time, New Zealand is changing and I think I can bring in some fresh ideas and thinking. In particular, I’m passionate about making sure funeral homes are contemporary and approachable. I want us to be able to humanise the process and create personalised farewells that fit with what a family needs in order to grieve.”
Mr Shaw already has a strong service ethic, serving as Chair of mental health and disability support service, Pou Whaakaro, as an active Lions Club member and a Justice of the Peace (JP). In addition, he is Managing Director of two funeral homes, one in Whakatane and one in Kawerau and recently established a pet cremation business.
“I’ve always felt that as a funeral director you should give back to the community that is trusting you. But I also do it because I’m really aligned with the values that groups like Pou Whaakaro have,” says Mr Shaw.
He notes his wider roles have also given him sound professional governance skills.
“The Association has always had strong leadership but in today’s society it’s even more important that we are trusted, efficiently run and advocating not just for our member firms, but for the communities we serve,” says Mr Shaw.
“Our recently updated vision, ‘Supporting positive grief journeys’, reflects that change. Helping New Zealanders see the critical importance of saying farewell is a message we’ll be promoting time and time again.”
“I’m thrilled to be given the opportunity to both support carrying on the important traditions and services our members provide and guide us into a changing world.”
ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT:
Gillian Boyes
CEO | Funeral Directors Association
M: +64 29 200 8985
E: gillian@funeraldirectors.co.nz