What NAMM is doing to try to answer some of these problems
Note: The activities below are in addition to the publication of leaflets such as "Choosing a Memorial"
which the Association distributes as widely as it can. The problem with such leaflets is that they are
frequently read after the event - i.e. when it is too late.
What is required is for the general public to have a good knowledge regarding both the options available to
them and the industry in general. Only this way will they be less likely to be "caught out" at the time of
bereavement.
| 1. |
NAMM has consistently pressed for some kind of regulation of the industry and has encouraged burial authorities
to operate "approved lists" of masons - i.e. only the masons on those lists may work in their cemeteries.
Unfortunately none of these efforts have proved sufficient to prevent the bad practices so frequently seen.
NAMM is therefore currently in the throes of drawing up proposals for a national licensing scheme for
memorial masons - on similar lines to the Corgi system for gas fitters. At the time of writing, the prospects
look good and the reaction from representatives of burial authorities has been very positive. NAMM is also very
actively involved in training - as outlined above. |
| 2. |
The Association has taken stands at some of the larger craft fairs in order to demonstrate to the public the options
available to them and the benefits of dealing direct with the memorial mason. On such occasion it has had member
masons carving/lettercarving on the stands and has offered the public the chance to "have a go". It puts copy in
newspapers etc. whenever possible but fears that few people read them because the subject is too closely linked
with death
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| 3. |
NAMM takes every opportunity of persuading burial authorities to permit the public substantial freedom of
choice in respect of memorials. It particularly works to persuade them to permit proper memorials over cremated
remains. NAMM is currently working with the Memorial Awareness Board to promote this on a wide scale. |
| 4. |
The Association works very closely with a large number of burial authorities. Its Code of Working Practice is
now adopted by many which means that memorials are being fixed better than may have happened previously and are
therefore less likely to become unstable or unsightly.
It arranges training days to show burial authorities how to test the stability of existing memorials without
causing them damage.
It has organised "Cemetery Discussion Groups" which are attended by masons and cemetery officials in which the
problems of cemetery and memorial maintenance are discussed.
NAMM contends that close co-operation between burial authorities and memorial masons can only lead to a far better
service for the bereaved. For this reason in 1996 it offered burial authorities the chance to become Corporate
Associate Members of the Association. The take-up has been very encouraging.
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| 5. |
NAMM believes the public at large need to be reminded that burial grounds are important to all sectors of society
and are worthy of respect. In this regard it is currently:
- assisting bereavement groups and cemetery friends etc with the 'Respecting our Cemeteries' initiative.
- part sponsoring and promoting the 'Cemetery of the Year Awards'
- working closely with the 'Living Churchyard and Cemetery Project'
- purchasing airtime on the radio etc.
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A main concern of the Association
It is accepted by the Association that the bereaved are frequently very vulnerable and that anyone dealing with
them has special responsibilities.
Its main concern therefore has to be to try to ensure that everything it does is in their interest.
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