Papers & Speakers

When planning the opening of a new crematorium in 2028, Pontes CEO Tom Wustenberghs refused to simply upgrade facilities. Instead, he wanted to reimagine death care from first principles.

This presentation reviews the journey from the first decision to innovate farewells to the full experience and architectural briefings that will make the new site a global benchmark, highlighting the valuable lessons learned along the way.

One year on from our original exploration of AI in bereavement, this session revisits the rapidly evolving role of Artificial Intelligence across society and the deathcare sector. What was once experimental or theoretical is increasingly becoming part of everyday life and work, from content creation and communication to memorialisation and digital support tools.

This updated session will examine how AI capabilities have developed over the past year, the opportunities now emerging for bereavement services, and the ethical questions that remain unresolved. With a focus on trust, empathy and responsible adoption, the discussion will encourage delegates to think critically about where AI can genuinely add value, where human connection must remain central, and what the future may hold for the sector.

An update on the UK designed and engineered terramation system, operating in the US. A look at how and when this may arrive in the UK and the broader evolution and rise in popularity of greener funeral practices.

A brief tour of evolution of funerary practices from prehistoric to modern times.

Dr Mitchell began his career as an academic archaeologist, studying at the Universities of Bristol and Oxford and at the British School of Archaeology in Athens, before moving into insurance. Since 2018 he has been Managing Director of Wessex Insurance Brokers Ltd, which designs bespoke insurance products for niche sectors including commercial archaeology and community and charity groups and business associations including the Funeral Suppliers Association and the British Engineering Manufacturers’ Association.

Modern Cremation was a radical response to the urbanisation that happened alongside the Industrial Revolution. During the 20th century it gradually became normalised so that most funerals now take place at a crematorium. Society is in flux again and as individual attitudes to death and funerals evolve, crematoria must adapt - offering greater flexibility, dignity and sensitivity to individual needs.

We will show how our work with City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council puts these principles into practice - from the radical reinvention of new builds at Shay Grange and Bierley Wood, to the sensitive refurbishment and reinvigoration of the Victorian cemetery chapel at Oakworth.

Jon is an Architect and Regional Director at Stride Treglown’s Manchester studio. His recent collaboration with Bradford City Council created a new typology in Crematoria design at Shay Grange (and the soon to be open Bierley Wood) as well as an innovative refurbishment at Oakworth, a converted Victorian Cemetery chapel in the most beautiful location. These new-build and refurbishment projects are potential exemplars for future developments in the sector, as it responds to major changes in society.

2026 marks a significant formalisation in how bereavement services are regulated in Scotland. This session explores the key changes, including new forms, register requirements, burial updates, and hydrolysis, with a clear focus on operational reality and what these developments mean for the future of the sector.

David McNaughton is an award-winning leader in bereavement services across crematorium operations, funeral direction, and strategic service development. He is currently UK Operations Manager, overseeing multiple crematoria and driving performance, compliance, and growth across the business.

David holds diplomas from the NAFD and ICCM, earning the Eickhoff Medal for academic excellence. As a TEST Assessor and Inspector for the FBCA, he remains committed to raising industry standards and supporting staff development across the sector.

Benchmark Architects will present the story behind Cyprus’ first licensed crematorium, Golden Leaves near Paphos; a landmark project marking a significant cultural, legislative and architectural milestone.

Led by crematorium specialist Mark Doohan, the keynote explores the decade-long journey from the legalisation of cremation in 2016 to the delivery of a sensitive, sustainable and modern facility, shaped by shifting attitudes, environmental concerns and demand from expatriate and non-Orthodox communities.

The session will cover planning, environmental compliance, cultural consultation and public perception, while highlighting how thoughtful architecture can respect religion, tradition, climate and landscape to create meaningful spaces for remembrance, dignity and choice.

Mark Doohan is a RIBA Chartered Architect and Managing Director of Benchmark Architects, a UK-wide commercial architecture and design practice. With more than 20 years’ experience in the architecture and construction industry, Mark has extensive expertise in building design, development, and the management of complex projects. He has led numerous city and town centre mixed-use regeneration and urban redevelopment schemes, with a strong focus on master planning and placemaking.

Alongside his professional work, Mark serves as a trustee of a small charitable organisation that provides summer holiday camps for children.

This session will provide an overview of the Department for Work & Pension’s current priorities, and the services and initiatives that can be accessed by employers to support recruitment.

Lucy Bowman works in the Department for Work and Pension’s Strategic Relationship Team. She has worked for the department for over 30 years in a wide variety of roles, including front-line operations, employer and partnership engagement, and policy. Her current role, as a National Recruitment and Partnership Consultant, involves working in partnership with employers and external stakeholders on shared objectives, creating opportunities that transform DWP customers’ lives.

The Law Commission published its final report on reform of Burial and Cremation law in March this year. Hear about its recommendations to government for reform, and about the final phase of its work on Rights and Obligations relating to Funerary Methods, Funerals, and Remains.

Professor Lisa Webley is the Law Commissioner for Property, Family and Trust Law. She joined the Commission in September 2025. She is also the Chair in Legal Education and Research at the University of Birmingham and an Associate Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, University of London.

This presentation will provide a progress update on the Ministry of Justice’s activities within the death management space and provide an overview of the programme of work they are looking to take forward over the coming months.

We seek to provide a framework for burials, cremations and emerging alternatives that is modern and fit for purpose. The unit seeks to ease the burden for grieving parents by administering the Children’s Funeral Fund for England efficiently and with compassion. In addition, Terence is also responsible for coroner law and policy, and works collaboratively with the Chief Coroner, her office, coroners and local authorities to ensure that coroner services are delivered effectively and that bereaved families remain at the heart of the system.

The ICF Orientation Paper outlines a future-oriented working model for the International Cremation Federation. It argues that ICF should become the global infrastructure layer for cremation expertise, without competing with national or regional organisations. ICF can add value where international scale, neutrality and comparability are essential.

The proposed model focuses on global standards, ethics, data, sustainability, innovation, policy and crisis coordination. It introduces seven flagship deliverables, including a Global Cremation Practice Standard, a World Cremation Observatory and a Sustainability & Innovation Lab. A roadmap shows how ICF can move from quick wins and pilot projects to mature global services.

The presentation invites British stakeholders to help shape ICF as a shared platform for public trust, professional standards and international credibility.

This talk explores the gap between care and communication within bereavement services, and the lasting impact of “I didn’t know that was an option” to the bereaved. Using marketing as a tool and through reflections on choice, grief, and responsibility, the session aims to challenge how professionals communicate with bereaved families before, during, and after loss. The presentation argues that effective bereavement marketing is not about promotion, but about ensuring people are informed, empowered, and able to make decisions they can live with, while also considering the opportunities and risks presented by emerging technologies such as AI.

The joint presentation will explore how people in the UK have historically dealt with their dead, highlighting a range of unusual and sometimes surprising practices. What can we learn of our past societies through studying their burial practices and the locations used to house their dead? What research do archaeologists undertake to understand burial sites and how does this add to our knowledge using a case study from the HS2 Ltd Phase 1 project: Park Street Burial Ground in Birmingham.

Alan is an archaeologist with a career spanning from the early 1980s through to the present day. In the early 2000s Alan largely hung up his trowel and has since been working in archaeological and heritage consultancy. Alan was involved in the early assessment of St Mary's Church and burial ground at Stoke Mandeville for HS2, and is currently the archaeological lead on the A66, where a range of cemetery sites, from Bronze Age through to Early Medieval, are currently under investigation.

The presentation will explain the key requirements of the new Crematoria Guidance Note PG5/2 (25), including key milestones and regulatory timeframes. The session will translate the policy and regulatory requirements of the new guidance into operational reality, setting out how the guidance should be interpreted by regulators and implemented by operators, and how regulatory decisions should be applied consistently in practice.

Chidiebere Igwebuike is a Senior Advisor in the Local Authority Unit (LAU) of the Environment Agency, where he provides technical and permitting advice to Local Authorities in England and Wales on the activities they regulate, including the cremation of human remains.

He holds an MSc in Energy and Environmental Management and has over eight years' experience in Environmental Permitting. Chidiebere played a leading role in the recent review and development of the Crematoria Guidance Note PGN 5/2(25), working closely with equipment manufacturers, industry representatives, and regulators. He is also actively supporting Regulators with the practical interpretation and effective implementation of the updated guidance.