DECLARATION OF INTENT

In connection with the opening ceremony on September 16th 2004 of the professional trade fair, Uitvaart 2004 in Utrecht, The Netherlands, a Declaration of Intent was presented and signed by representatives of the FIAT/IFTA, representatives of the European Norms Committee, and by representatives of Platform Uitvaartwezen.

According to the declaration all undersigned

"declare their solemn commitment  to promote the European Standard (still to be adopted in its final publication (January 2005)

to work to support the recommendations of the Standard and to assure quality in funeral services including the highest respect for the deceased and bereaved; to support the ethical rules upon which the European standard is based upon

to strive to introduce this standard worldwide among all people working in the funeral industry

to create a climate of supporting this standard among the members of FITA/IFTA; the national Associations of funeral organisations world wide and the individual funeral directors world wide

to set in motion the process of drawing up a plan that will ensure a task force to establish a world wide standard for the funeral industry, to be acknowledged by the World Health Organisation, IATA and the United nations"

Thus signed

On behalf of the European Norm Committee by Dr. Rolf Lichtner, Germany, Sverre Bjønnes, Norway, Birgit Baltzer, Denmark.

On behalf of FIAT/IFTA by president Dr. Barry Albin-Dyer JP, United Kingdom, Presidents Aide Mr. Christopher Henley, United Kingdom, Secretary Dirk van Vuure, The Netherlands.

On behalf of Platform Uitvaartwezen, president Chris Rutten, Hans Heikoop, Drs. Fok de Wit, all from The Netherlands

……………………

A signed copy of the declaration was handed over to a representative of the EFFS. This copy was presented at the General Assembly of the EFFS, October 2nd in Athens, Greece.