Jeremy Field,managing director of CPJ Field, the UK’s oldest funeral directors, has been awarded an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2022 New Year’s Honours List. The award is in recognition of the support and advice he has given to the funeral sector over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic and the beneficial impact on bereaved families as they have sought to honor the lives of loved ones.

Field’s dedicated work over the course of the pandemic has helped hundreds of fellow funeral directors provide the best possible care for thousands of bereaved families. He has helped draft government COVID-19 guidance and provided analysis on the implications of sector capacity to help guide government policy; he also represented the industry at various government briefings.

The National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD), the largest and most inclusive representative body for the UK funeral profession, commented on Field’s impact: “The NAFD has been fortunate to have been supported throughout COVID-19 by a group of funeral directors from across the profession who have provided vital information and shared the experiences of their own businesses, helping the NAFD to advise, reassure and lead the profession through a complex and uncertain time. We simply could not have done it without them.

“Jeremy has been at the very center of this work, willingly giving up hours of his time on a 24/7 basis and even during much needed holiday time, to support the profession despite facing considerable pressures as a working funeral director in his own family business.”

Commented Field on his award: “I am incredibly proud and yet hugely humbled to have been singled out for this remarkable honor. To have been appointed OBE is beyond my wildest dreams and was certainly a long way from my thoughts in the darkest times of the last two years. I am extremely fortunate to work in our family company leading a team of extraordinary people whose remarkable efforts 24/7 over the course of the pandemic have made a real difference to the lives of a huge number of people. It is through the wisdom and knowledge they have shared with me that I’ve been able to make sure the needs of funeral directors and bereaved families have been front of mind for decision makers throughout. I truly believe it is because I stand on the shoulders of giants that I have achieved anything deserving of this great honor. I hope my family, friends and colleagues can share a little in this award as without you, none of it would ever have happened.” cpjfield.co.uk