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Complete SAIF Members’ Funeral Director’s Survey

SAIF is inviting members to take part in the annual survey for funeral directors. It’s the fifth time the survey has run and we are delighted to again support this work, which is facilitated by Funeral Solution Expert (an independent consultancy firm working in the funeral sector) and Trajectory Partnership (a specialist strategic research firm).   […]

Last chance to book SAIF’s Education Day – 12th September

The members of SAIF Women in Business will also be our Education Day to catch up and network. If you are interested in joining, or want to find out more, look out for the banner and speak to one of the members. We must have final bookings for this event by Friday 12th September so […]

Call to action from SAIF’s President

On Saturday 27th September in Leicester, we will hold SAIF’s next Education Day – and I urge you to be there. This is more than just another event. It’s about shaping the future of independent funeral directing in a landscape where direct cremation continues to evolve and online providers are pushing harder than ever. On the day, […]

Hear updates on the profession at SAIF’s Education Day

Reserve your places by 12th September Members and Non-Members are encouraged to join our Education Day to stay up to date on essential information about the profession. During the full day’s learning, you’ll hear about:

What will you learn at SAIF’s Education Day?

Reserve your places How can independent funeral directors build business resilience against the increasing threat from the national online direct cremation companies? Our Education Day will feature:

Neurodiversity focus at SAIF’s Education Day

This year’s Education Day Neurodiversity Session starts with you. SAIF is asking our members to complete a short, anonymous member survey. This will help us gather real-world experiences from the challenges and barriers you face to the strengths and opportunities you’ve seen when working with neurodivergent staff and clients. Your insights will directly shape this […]

Education Day 2025 – booking now open!

This year’s Education Day is packed full of presentations from expert speakers on a range of subjects: Read the agenda and learn about the presenters here. Book Education Day places and optional dinner and accommodation here.

Crematorium’s secret weapon for maintaining its beautiful grounds

Charing Crematorium in Ashford, Kent, has revealed the ‘secret weapon’ helping to ensure its landscaped grounds look beautiful and welcoming for visitors – some locally-based alpacas! The crematorium has started fertilising its gardens using waste from animals at the nearby Alpaca Annie farm in Romney Marsh. It all came about because the crematorium’s memorial advisor […]

SAIF Member is appointed Lord Mayor of York

SAIF is delighted to report that long standing Member Martin Rowley has become 807th The Right Honourable The Lord Mayor of York. Councillor Martin Rowley BEM was appointed in a ceremony at the Guildhall in York.  Martin is Senior Partner and Funeral Director of Rowley & Sons in York. Martin says, “I am very proud of […]

Prepare for the Employment Rights Bill

Member Webinar: 27th May at 3 pm The Employment Rights Bill 2024 was introduced in October 2024. It’s set to reshape workplace practices – understanding its impact will give your organisation a strategic advantage. In this whistlestop session, Loch Associates will explore the key elements of the bill and how this will affect employers and […]

New Member resources

There are two new resources for SAIF Members: To access the documents, SAIF Members should login to the Members’ area here. The Staff Handbook Template may be found by selecting Member Resources then Human Resources. The Stroke Awareness leaflet may be downloaded from the Wellbeing tab of the About SAIF page.

New website: new login details

SAIF Members – welcome to your new look website. In addition to a re-fresh and improved navigation, there is now a second level of access which offers enhanced functionality for SAIF Contacts. To login to either level of access, you’ll need the new login details which we’ve emailed to you. Check your Inbox now to […]

A warm welcome to Ross!

Congratulations to Ross Hickton, who was recently inaugurated as SAIF’s National President 2025/6. The AGM Banquet Weekend took place from 4th to 6th April in Glasgow. Ross has selected Prostate Cancer as his charity of the year. SAIF Members will organise fundraising activities during his year in office. The National President is supported by 1st […]

SAIF Cost of Funerals Survey 2025

Tired of reading articles blaming funeral directors for rising funeral costs? Here’s YOUR chance to set the record straight.  Take part in SAIF’s research on the true average cost of funerals in 2025 today. Our 2024 report on the ‘real average cost of a funeral’ marked an important moment in SAIF’s efforts to turn the tide on […]

SAIF response: Fuller Inquiry interim report

SAIF welcomes the Fuller Inquiry interim report‘s recommendation for the regulation of funeral directors in England – and agrees with Inquiry Chair Sir Jonathan Michael’s observations that most funeral directors treat the deceased with kindness, dignity and respect. However, it is important that whatever form regulation takes, it is proportionate and does not significantly increase the […]

Webinar roundup: Reviewing your sustainability goals

To date, discussions about sustainability in the funeral sector have tended to focus on the service itself and consumer choice. Far less attention has been paid to what funeral directors can do to implement broader green measures within their businesses.  Yet a more holistic approach could arguably have a greater impact in terms of reducing […]

Clarification on completing Form Cremation 1

A number of funeral directors have contacted the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) with concerns about the difficulties some applicants may encounter when completing Form Cremation 1. After careful consideration, the MOJ has decided that funeral directors may continue to complete the application form on their client’s behalf, providing that: Cremation authorities and their referees will […]

Prospective new applicant in West Yorkshire

SAIF has received an application from a prospective Funeral Director based in Halifax, West Yorkshire.Please log onto the Members area and visit the ‘Membership pending’ page to see further details.

Prospective new applicant in Northumberland

SAIF has received an application from a prospective Funeral Director based in Cramlington, Northumberland. Please log onto the Members area and visit the ‘Membership pending’ page to see further details.

Prospective new company in Lancashire.

SAIF has received an application from a prospective Funeral Director based in Heywood, Lancashire.Please log onto the Members area and visit the ‘Membership pending’ page to see further details.

Prospective new member in Cornwall.

SAIF has received an application from a prospective funeral director based in Newquay, Cornwall.Please log onto the members area and visit the ‘membership pending’ page to see further details.

Zero Hours Contracts possible changes

SAIF Business Centre has made enquiries on the proposed edits to workers zero hours contracts by the new Government, however there is no definition as yet. SAIF will be advocating the needs of funeral directors and will advise members once any settlement is known.

Prospective new members in Stirlingshire & West Sussex.

SAIF has received applications from 2 prospective funeral director based in Falkirk, Stirlingshire & Bognor Regis, West Sussex.Please log onto the members area and visit the ‘membership pending’ page to see further details.

Prospective member in North Yorkshire.

SAIF has received an application from a prospective funeral director based in Skipton, North Yorkshire.Please log onto the members area and visit the ‘membership pending’ page to see further details.

Prospective associate member in Bedfordshire

SAIF has received an application from a prospective associate based in Luton, Bedfordshire.Please log onto the members area and visit the ‘membership pending’ page to see further details.

Prospective new member in Cumbria

SAIF has received an application from a prospective funeral director based in Grange-Ove-Sands, Cumbria.Please log onto the members area and visit the ‘membership pending’ page to see further details.

Prospective new member in Moray

SAIF has received an application from a prospective funeral director based in Buckie, Moray.Please log onto the members area and visit the ‘membership pending’ page to see further details.

Prospective member in West Sussex

SAIF has received an application from a prospective funeral director based in Worthing, West Sussex.Please log onto the members area and visit the ‘membership pending’ page to see further details.

Prospective associate member in Staffordshire

SAIF has received an application from a prospective associate based in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire.Please log onto the members area and visit the ‘membership pending’ page to see further details.

Prospective associate member based in Hampshire.

SAIF has received an application from a prospective associate based in Hampshire with a branch in New York.Please log onto the members area and visit the ‘membership pending’ page to see further details.

Prospective new members in Manchester & Somerset

SAIF has received applications from a prospective Funeral Directors based in Taunton, Somerset and another based in Bolton, Manchester with a branch in Chorley, Lancashire.Please log onto the members area and visit the ‘membership pending’ page to see further details.

Prospective new member in West Sussex

SAIF has received an application from a prospective Funeral Director based in Steyning, West SussexPlease log onto the members area and visit the ‘membership pending’ page to see further details.

Prospective new member in Carmarthenshire

SAIF has received an application from a prospective Funeral Director based in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire.Please log onto the members area and visit the ‘membership pending’ page to see further details.

Prospective new member in Nottinghamshire

SAIF has received an application from a prospective Funeral Director based in Doncaster, Nottinghamshire.Please log onto the members area and visit the ‘membership pending’ page to see further details.

Prospective new member in Warwickshire

SAIF has received an application from a prospective Funeral Director based in Rugby, Warwickshire.Please log onto the members area and visit the ‘membership pending’ page to see further details.

Prospective new Member in Somerset

SAIF has received an application from a prospective Funeral Director based in Minehead, Somerset.Please log onto the members area and visit the ‘membership pending’ page to see further details.

Prospective new Member in County Durham

SAIF has received an application from a prospective new member in Hartlepool, County Durham.Please log onto the members area and visit the ‘membership pending’ page to see further details.

Prospective new Member in Greater Manchester

SAIF has received an application from a prospective new member in Mossley, Greater Manchester.Please log onto the members area and visit the ‘membership pending’ page to see further details.

Take control of cost: why planning ahead matters in funerals 

ITV’s recent documentary on funeral costs carried a powerful message to families. And it’s something the funeral profession has been advising for years. That is, the need to plan ahead before it’s too late.  We understand that funerals can be expensive. Price pressures are felt more keenly in this era of austerity and cost of […]

Prospective new member in Somerset

SAIF has received an application from a prospective Funeral Director based in North Petherton, Somerset.Please log onto the members area and visit the ‘membership pending’ page to see further details.

Local authorities to inspect funeral homes across England

The Daily Telegraph has reported today (Tuesday, 21st May) and over the weekend that funeral directors in England are to be inspected by local authorities in the wake of the Legacy investigation in Hull.  SAIF responded jointly with the NAFD with the following comment, most of which has been included in the coverage: “The National […]

Prospective new member in Leyton.

SAIF has received an application from a prospective Funeral Director based in Leyton, London.Please log onto the members area and visit the ‘membership pending’ page to see further details.

Prospective new member in Armagh.

SAIF has received an application from a prospective Funeral Director based in Portadown, Armagh that has 2 additional branches.Please log onto the members area and visit the ‘membership pending’ page to see further details.

Prospective new member in Herefordshire.

SAIF has received an application from a prospective Funeral Director based in Hereford, Herefordshire.Please log onto the members area and visit the ‘membership pending’ page to see further details.

Prospective new member in West Yorkshire.

SAIF has received an application from a prospective Funeral Director based in Tordmorden, West Yorkshire.Please log onto the members area and visit the ‘membership pending’ page to see further details.

Prospective new member in Kent.

SAIF has received an application from a prospective Funeral Director based in Sittingbourne, Kent.Please log onto the members area and visit the ‘membership pending’ page to see further details.

Prospective new member in Leyburn.

SAIF has received an application from a prospective Funeral Director based in Leyburn, North Yorkshire.Please log onto the members area and visit the ‘membership pending’ page to see further details.

Prospective new member Derby.

SAIF has received an application from a prospective Funeral Director based in Mickleover, Derby, Derbyshire.Please log onto the members area and visit the ‘membership pending’ page to see further details.

Funeral regulation call for evidence imminent

SAIF notes with interest Justice Minister Mike Freer MP’s response to four questions regarding the regulation of the funeral sector submitted by MPs Alexander Stafford and Jim McMahon. The Minister’s statement was given yesterday and is as follows: “We have accepted that some form of regulation of the funeral sector is required. My officials have […]

Prospective new member in Cleveland

SAIF has received an application from a prospective Funeral Director based in Redcar, Cleveland with 2 branches in Redcar and GuisboroughPlease log onto the members area and visit the ‘membership pending’ page to see further details.

England and Wales Medical Examiner changes coming into force in September

The Government has today laid before Parliament regulations to ensure all deaths in England and Wales are legally subject to a medical examiner’s scrutiny or a coroner’s investigation. The changes will come into force on 9th September and “will put all the medical examiner system’s obligations, duties and responsibilities on a statutory footing, and ensure […]

Prospective new Member in North Yorkshire

SAIF has received an application from a prospective Funeral Director based in Harrogate, North YorkshirePlease log onto the members area and visit the ‘membership pending’ page to see further details.

Prospective new member in Wrexham

SAIF has received an application from a prospective Funeral Director based in WrexhamPlease log onto the members area and visit the ‘membership pending’ page to see further details.

Prospective new Associate member in Surrey

SAIF has received an application from a prospective Associate Member based in Godalming, SurreyPlease log onto the members area and visit the ‘membership pending’ page to see further details.

SAIF members lead on Hull inspections process, reassuring the public

SAIF members in Hull have played a pivotal role in facilitating formal inspections of premises in the wake of the police investigation into care of the deceased at Legacy Independent Funeral Directors.  And the initiative has been deemed a success by Hull City and East Riding councils, with officials stating that the visits of 50 […]

New SAIF Officers for 2024-25

SAIF’s Officers for 2024-2025 were installed at the AGM Weekend in York on Sunday 24th March. The photo shows (left to right) 2nd VP Gary Staker, Immediate Past President Mark Horton, President Declan Maguire and 1st VP Ross Hickton.