ASA ruling reinforces need for transparency in end-of-life services
SAIF has welcomed a new Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruling which reinforces the importance of clear and transparent information for people making end-of-life decisions. The ASA upheld a complaint relating to the website of A Love of Humanity, a human tissue donation service operated by Fenix Biomed BV. The regulator found that the website gave […]
What does SAIF membership mean for funeral directors and families?
Recent discussion about funeral regulation has led to understandable questions from families and funeral directors. Is the funeral profession regulated by law? What does SAIF membership mean for families and funeral directors? How are SAIF standards monitored? There’s a lot of jargon around regulation. Here’s what it means in practice. Government regulation and SAIF oversight […]
Robert Bush sentencing response from SAIF
SAIF has issued its response following the Robert Bush sentencing at Hull Crown Court. Bush was sentenced to twenty years after pleading guilty to 67 offences connected with his operation of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors. In his sentencing remarks, Mr Justice Hilliard said: “No sentence I pass can put right the harm that the defendant […]
Funeral directors must help families move beyond the template funeral
New research from the Cremation Society has raised important questions about how funerals are experienced by families across the UK. Commissioned to mark the Society’s 150th anniversary, the research involved nine focus groups and a survey of 1,598 adults. It found that most people had a positive experience during their most recent visit to a […]
ASA ruling highlights importance of clear information in funeral plan advertising
The ASA upheld a complaint relating to two TV advertisements, finding they did not make sufficiently clear that the funeral plans being advertised were limited to non-attended cremations. In its ruling, the ASA concluded that information about whether a plan includes attendance at the cremation or a commemorative service is important information for consumers and […]
Fuller Inquiry government update on funeral sector regulation
The Department of Health and Social Care has now published a Written Ministerial Statement updating Parliament on the government’s progress in responding to the Phase 2 report. The government has accepted most of the Inquiry’s recommendations in full. It is continuing to consider its approach to recommendations concerning the regulation of the funeral sector, including […]
SAIF welcomes National Medical Examiner’s report, calls for action on continued delays
SAIF welcomes the progress highlighted in the National Medical Examiner’s report for 2025, published on 6 July 2026, but continues to air concerns about unacceptable delays. The report covers the first full calendar year since the death certification reforms were introduced in September 2024. Praise for progress In 2025, medical examiners independently scrutinised more than […]
Take part in the President’s Biggest Coffee Morning
SAIF members are invited to support the President’s Biggest Coffee Morning from 20 July to 16 August 2026, raising funds for Parkinson’s UK, Gary Staker’s President’s Charity of the Year. Members can host a coffee morning, take an hour with their team, invite their local community or donate online through the SAIF JustGiving page. Why […]
SAIF seeks clarity on funeral regulation
SAIF is urgently seeking clarification from the Government regarding the timetable for funeral regulation, following Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s resignation this week. Earlier this Spring, it was revealed that former Health Secretary Wes Streeting would lead the regulation of funeral directors in England, with an announcement expected in July. However, the recent upheaval in Downing […]
Thank you for visiting SAIF at NFE 2026
Thank you to everyone who visited the SAIF stand at the National Funeral Exhibition 2026 from 11-13 June. It was a valuable opportunity to meet members, associate members and colleagues from across the profession, and to speak with both existing and prospective members about the work taking place across SAIF and the wider profession, This […]
ASA calls out misleading TV adverts
SAIF welcomes the ASA ruling on a Pure Cremation TV advert, reinforcing the importance of clear information, transparency and informed choice when families are considering direct cremation.