ALBURY-Wodonga funeral director Darren Eddy has recently returned from representing Australia on the world stage in Italy.
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The part-owner of Lester & Son Funeral Directors was among 26 delegates from around the globe to attend the World Organisation of Funeral Operatives annual meeting.
It represents 78 countries from which the 26 delegates are chosen to the influential international council of direction.
The world organisation meets annually to discuss issues that affect funeral directors internationally.
Mr Eddy is the immediate past-president of the Australian Funeral Directors Association with his two-year term finishing in March.
His national involvement sparked an interest to contribute to the funeral industry internationally.
"The national experience whetted my desire you could say," he said.
"I've pretty much done everything I can do nationally and I think I've got enough experience now I can be of value in that area.
"They are great people and all like-minded.
"It is a good organisation to be part of."
Mr Eddy said one of the international council of direction's agenda items was discussing how someone who had died outside their own country could be repatriated home.
“We are looking at ways to unify international paperwork, customs and immigration protocols so families can bring their loved home promptly and with dignity," he said.
The body also holds non-governmental organisation status with the United Nations and is working on an initiative to preserve global funeral heritage including those of indigenous Australians.
“It is an honour to have been elected as the Australian representative of this prestigious international organisation and to be working on such worthwhile initiatives for the betterment of the funeral profession and ultimately for those people we care for,” Mr Eddy said.
This year the organisation also provided administrative and logistical assistance in forming the first African Funeral Association.
Nigeria, South Africa, Mozambique and Sierra Leone were the first signatories of the charter signed in Italy.
"I sat next to a lady from Sierra Leone and her husband died earlier this year to Ebola," Mr Eddy said.
"Her two children also got Ebola and were lucky enough to survive.
"A lot of these countries are out there on their own," he said.
"If we can bring them together internationally when there is an issue like Ebola they are not going to be left swinging.
"They are going to have the other countries go into bat for them."
Mr Eddy joined the national executive seven years ago and was the first person from NSW elected to the top job in 11 years.
He was replaced by John Fowler from Melbourne.
