The Society of Bereavement Practitioners is honoured to have the support of the following distinguished Patrons:

Baroness Julia Neuberger DBE

Maureen Lipman CBE

Bishop William Cliff DD

The Society of Bereavement Practitioners is administered by a small team of honorary officers:

PRESIDENT

Rev. George Callander, FRSA

George is a founder member of SBP and elected president in 2005. He is a liberal minister in north east England specialising in bereavement ministry across a wide area. George is a qualified nurse and gained specialist training and experience in bereavement care working for many years in A&E in a London teaching hospital. His specialist areas of expertise are bereavement following traumatic death, and bereavement following the death of a child. As a complete contrast to his pastoral work, in his spare time George is a professional actor, and he sings countertenor in the chapel choir of an historic Durham College.

VICE PRESIDENT

Keith Munt, FRSA

Keith is owner of Saint and Forster Funeral Directors, Ltd., in Darlington. He originally joined the firm as a partner after many years with a national funeral company. In due course Keith and his partner Jenny were able to buy the whole business in 2011.

Saint & Forster has gone from strength to strength with its unique approach to truly personal, holistic funeralcare. Keith and Jenny are committed to giving every client the best possible level of care and attention - which have been appreciated by countless families.

REGISTRAR

Adrian Grant

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY

Mrs Jackie Cairnes

FACULTY OF FUNERAL CELEBRANTS

President: Rev. Mel Occomore, FFC

Mel is minister of Durham Open Free Church, and a respected religious funeral celebrant across north east England. He is a founder member of the Faculty and is committed to excellence in funeral celebrancy and pastoral care.

Vice President: Colin Laidler, FFC

Colin is a highly experienced and respected secular funeral celebrant across north east England. He is a founder member of the Faculty and is committed to excellence in secular funeral celebrancy.

FACULTY OF CONVERSATION THERAPISTS

President: Mrs Elaine Bateman, MBACP FSBP

Elaine is an experienced and qualified counsellor. She trained in Counselling as a mature student at New College Durham and is a Member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists. Elaine has considerable experience working with clients in end of life and bereavement care settings.