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Message for SAIF Members in Berkshire

SAIF has been contacted by the Berkshire Local Authorities with this message: The Berkshire mortuaries are under unusual pressure with regards to body storage for this time of year and we appear to have a large number of deceased that are ready for funerals / collection whilst the cemeteries and crematoriums are running 50-60%. Any […]

Free online learning for SAIF Members – 15th January

SAIF Members are invited to join our webinar on 15th January at 2 pm where our guest speaker will be presenting on the subject of “You can’t take care of others, if you don’t take care of yourself.” SAIF is delighted that Sue Monkton-Rickett of The Association of Christian Counsellors will present this webinar. The […]

SAIF AGM Weekend – hotel rooms must be booked NOW

Plans are well underway for another amazing SAIF AGM weekend, to take place on 13th to 15th March at the Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow. SAIF has been allocated a certain number of rooms for the weekend but they are only available for a limited time. From 16th January, the hotel will start to release […]

SAIF Notice of AGM 2020

This is the notice of SAIF’s Annual General Meeting to be held on Saturday 14th March 2020 at The Grand Hotel, Glasgow. Election of National Executive Committee 2020 There will be two places available to join the Executive Committee for 2020. If you would like to be proposed for one, please ask a fellow member […]

Prospective new member in Preston

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

Funeral Planning Authority – new regulations

From the Funeral Planning Authority (FPA): “Following a consultation, the FPA have now agreed a revised set of Rules and Code of Practice, which will come into force in January 2020. We will We’ll be working with our registered providers until then to ensure they understand what is expected of them, and are able to […]

Happy new year to SAIF Members

SAIF wishes all members a happy and successful 2020. We look forward to seeing you at one of our events during the year. Remember to check the Events page for details of all activities, including the AGM Banquet Weekend from 13th to 15th March in Glasgow.

Such a sad loss – Matthew Gallagher

It is with deep sadness we announce the sudden death of a leading SAIF member, Matthew Gallagher on Sunday 29th December 2019 in the Critical Care Unit of Kings Cross Hospital, London. Matthew suffered a cardiac arrest the evening before and passed away with his parents, Pat and Sandy Gallagher (past President of SAIF and […]

SAIF Membership Renewals due by 31st December

We thank all of our members who have completed their subscriptions renewals for 2020 and remind all other members of the 31st December deadline.  Remember that renewals and/or payments can now be made online. Simply login to the Members’ area and click on Membership Renewal. If you don’t have your renewal documents or can’t login to […]

Finding Christmas difficult?

From Child Bereavement UK: When you are grieving, occasions such as Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Christmas, with their big build-up in the shops and in the media, can feel like a cruel reminder of your loss and how much you are missing the person who has died.   There is no right or wrong […]

Prospective new member in North Yorkshire

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

Happy Christmas to SAIF Members

Terry, Claire, Corinne, Sam, Maria and Angela wish our members all the best for the Christmas season. The office will be open at these times: Tuesday 24th December                9.00 – 16.00 Friday 27th December                   10.00 – 14.00 Monday 30th December                10.00 – 14.00 Tuesday 31st December                 10.00 – 14.00 Thursday 2nd Jan                          9.00 – 17.00

Caring for your clients and staff – exciting news of SAIF Care and SAIF Support

We’re pleased to report that the highly successful SAIF Care has changed to a telephone bereavement careline and email support as a FREE benefit to ALL SAIF member firms from 1st January 2020. SAIF Care is for any of your clients who wish to access grief care and bereavement support, which is now available to ALL SAIF member firms at no cost.  […]

Bereavement support over the festive period

SAIF thanks SASP (Support After Suicide Partnership) for this information: Bereavement support over the Festive Period We know that the holiday season can be exceptionally hard for those of us that are missing a loved one. Because of this, we would like to take a moment to thank all of our members and supporters for the […]

Prospective new member in West Sussex

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

SAIF Member’s Christmas tribute to help grieving children

Keighley-based SAIF members David and Adele Gallagher are lighting up their customers’ Christmas with a tree at their West Yorkshire headquarters, Airedale House. All of the families cared for by them and their team throughout 2019 are being remembered throughout the festive season, with each white light on the tree representing a deceased person they […]

Seminar: Paying for Child & Baby Funerals – 16th January, Stratford upon Avon

The Child Funeral Charity is pleased to invite you to a seminar on: ‘Paying for Child and Baby Funerals’. An Educational Seminar providing details of funding from the Children’s Funeral Fund, charities and other funding sources. A full day of talks and discussions with exhibition. Thursday 16th January 2020, 10.00am – 4.00pm DoubleTree by Hilton […]

Prospective new member in Durham

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

SAIF Annual Membership renewals are due

We thank all of our members who have completed their subscriptions renewals for 2020 and remind all other members of the 31st December deadline.  Remember that renewals and/or payments can now be made online. Simply login to the Members’ area and click on Membership Renewal. If you don’t have your renewal documents or can’t login to […]

Prospective New Member in Cumbria.

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

Government guidance for employers

The latest Employer Bulletin is available from HM Revenues & Customs. This issue contains: Guidance on reporting PAYE when payments are made early for Christmas Changes to fuel rates December 2019 Tax free child-care payments Toolkits to help reduce errors. Simply click this link to read the bulletin.

Important dates information for SAIF Members

With so much current interest and activity in the funeral profession, we’ve created an information page where members can quickly find dates relating to important events. In 2020, decisions of both the Competition & Markets Authority report into the funeral profession and HM Treasury’s report into pre-paid funeral plans will be published. Stay up to […]

Christmas last posting dates

Here are the Royal Mail’s recommended latest posting dates for 2019: Wednesday 18 December 2nd Class and 2nd Class Signed For Friday 20 December 1st Class and 1st Class Signed Forand Royal Mail Tracked 48* Saturday 21 December Royal Mail Tracked 24* Monday 23 December Special Delivery Guaranteed

SAIF Christmas opening hours

Terry, Claire, Corinne, Sam, Maria and Angela wish our members all the best for the Christmas season. The office will be open at these times: Monday 23rd December                9.00 – 17.00 Tuesday 24th December                9.00 – 16.00 Friday 27th December                   10.00 – 14.00 Monday 30th December                10.00 – 14.00 Tuesday 31st December                 10.00 […]

SAIF Members invited to Cornwall Bereavement Network

SAIF has received this information from Penhaligon’s Friends, a charity which supports bereaved children, young people, parents and carers throughout the county. They offer children and young people the chance to meet others and share their experiences, as well as practical resources for children and parents. Penhaligon’s Friends would like to invite you along to […]

Prospective new member in Northern Ireland.

SAIF has received an application from a prospective member based in Co.Tyrone, Northern Ireland. Please log onto the members area and visit the ‘membership pending’ page to see further details.

SAIF Membership Renewals

It’s that time of year again – not only Christmas, but time to pay subscriptions for next year’s membership of SAIF. Members and Associates will receive renewal information by post over the next few days. Please contact SAIF Business Centre on 01279 726777 if you don’t receive your information pack. Remember that your fees, Declaration […]

Support available from HMRC

Do you know that HMRC have a new online customer forum where you can post questions on a range of tax topics that are answered by HMRC experts? Anyone can view the forum. To post a question, simply register and create a profile – it’s that easy. There’s also an extensive Knowledge Base, where you […]

Festive fundraising by SAIF Members in Wales

SAIF Members and Associates recently enjoyed festive fun at their annual Christmas Dinner. The event took place at the Towers Hotel, Swansea and generous members raised over £1000 for National President, Jim Auld’s Charity of the Year Breast Cancer Now.

Important information for SAIF Members in Wales

SAIF has received this information from NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership: Medical Examiner Service for Wales and Cremation Form 5 fees As you may be aware, a Medical Examiner Service is being created for both England and Wales as part of the reform of the Death Certification Process (Coroner and Justice Act 2009) that will […]

Prospective new member in Staffordshire.

SAIF has received an application from a prospective member based in Stone on Trent, Staffordshire. Please log onto the members area and visit the ‘membership pending’ page to see further details.

Learn from Child Bereavement UK

SAIF Members are invited to join our next webinar on 11th December at 2pm. The session will be presented by Ann Chalmers of Child Bereavement UK and is entitled: ‘When a child dies, when a child grieves: our learning from families.’ Child Bereavement UK supports families and educates professionals both when a baby or child […]

Dementia’s Friends reaches 3 million Friends

Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friends programme is the biggest ever initiative to change people’s perceptions of dementia. It aims to transform the way the nation thinks, acts and talks about the condition. Whether you attend a face-to-face Information Session or watch the online video, Dementia Friends is about learning more about dementia and the small ways […]

Message from Key Air

SAIF has been asked by Key Air to advise you that their telephone system has failed this morning. They apologise for this and have provided the following emergency contact details: Mobile: 07540540283jason@keyair.co.uk

SAIF AGM Banquet Weekend 2020 – book your places now!

So many reasons to join us at Glasgow’s Grand Central Hotel from 13th to 15th March: Celebrate Jim Auld’s year as National President Learn the latest news from SAIF Catch up with friends Enjoy a fantastic banquet Welcome our new National President for 2020/21 Find out more and book your places now.

Can you support Giving Tuesday?

Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving, a day when everyone, everywhere can do something to support the good causes that mean so much to them. You can volunteer your time; donate money; share your skills; campaign for something; donate goods, food, or clothes; organise a community event such as a street or park […]

Cruse celebrates 60 years of supporting bereaved people

Cruse was established by Margaret Torrie in 1959 to provide support for widows through a network of Cruse Clubs. At the time, widows faced considerable financial and practical challenges and there was very little information available to hep them understand and cope with their grief. Over the years, the charity expanded to help widowers, children […]

Designing SAIFInsight for funeral directors

The SAIFInsight team is planning a refresh and redesign of your magazine. We know that SAIFInsight is reaching the vast majority of Independents – more than 90% of you tell us you are regular readers and saifinsight.co.uk reaches over 1,000 monthly visitors – and we want to ensure you get the most value possible from […]

Parochial fees for 2020

The Church of England fees for burials, funerals and monuments in England are available for 2020. Simply click here to access their website. The link is also available from the Members’ area of the website. Login to the Members’ area here then use this link.

Valuable resources for funeral directors dealing with baby deaths

NHS Education for Scotland has produced an important video on ‘talking to parents about their decisions around burial or cremation after the death of their baby.’ This video includes guidance for professionals in Scotland on how to provide families who are bereaved with support and information about infant cremation, their options for their baby and […]

Need professional training for your funeral staff?

The IFD College Administrator is currently working on a schedule of courses for Spring/Summer 2020.  Courses are booked where we know there is enough interest to run them so if you would like courses to be run in your area please email Corinne Pengelly or call her on 01279 726777. More information regarding the courses, […]

Public Health England report on death in hospitals

Public Health England recently released a report on deaths of older people in hospital during 2017 This report looks at deaths in hospital for people aged 75 years and older in 2017. Differences by age, sex deprivation are explored. In addition, the length of admissions ending in hospital death is examined. Main findings 45.6% of […]

Prospective new member in Merseyside

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

Tax changes from April 2020 – IR35

Are you ready for the changes coming in April 2020 relating to engaging third party contractors and how they’re paid? Read more on the Government’s website For further help, read an article written by Sandra Martins, Senior Lawyer at Radius Law.

Prospective new member in West Yorkshire.

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

SAIF Members’ webinar: update on government changes to the profession

In an incredibly busy year for government investigations into the funeral profession and pre-paid plans, Paul Allcock will provide a follow-up to his update in May. He will highlight the developments of the various consultations and implications for how funeral businesses may need to change. What’s a webinar? The webinar format allows SAIF to deliver relevant […]

Suicide bereavement support to be made available across England

The government announced recently that personalised bereavement support will be available on the NHS in England to care for people after a relative or friend’s suicide. People who have lost someone close to them due to suicide will benefit from dedicated bereavement care. The government has announced plans to roll out services on the NHS […]

Notice for SAIF Members in West Yorkshire

SAIF has been contacted Jacqui Ambler, Trustee of the Undercliffe Cemetery Charity in Bradford. Although owned by Bradford Council, the historic grade 2* listed cemetery has been run by the trustees for over 35 years, including arrangements for the sale of plots and burials. It has come to their attention that some funeral directors in […]

Do summer heatwaves lead to an increase in deaths?

The Office of National Statistics (ONS) have investigated whether there is a link between heatwaves and numbers of deaths. England and Wales have seen some of the hottest summers in recent years. The mean temperature for the meteorological summer (June to August) was 17.0 degrees Celsius in 2018 and 16.1 degrees in 2019. Back in 1919, the mean summer […]

Benefit claimants to get more money to help with funeral costs

SAIF welcomes news from the Department for Work and Pensions that the Funeral Expenses Payment will increase next spring. Families grieving the loss of a loved one will receive up to £1,000 to help meet the costs of a funeral, Minister for Welfare Delivery Will Quince has announced. From spring 2020, the maximum amount families […]

SAIF Members’ Wales Christmas Dinner 29th November

All SAIF Members and Associates are welcome to join our Wales Christmas Dinner, which will be held at the Ivy Towers and Spa Hotel in Swansea on 29th November. More information on the venue and menu may be found here and bookings may be made here. Please make your bookings and pre-orders by 13th November, […]

Online support from HMRC

If you’ve recently become a company director, or you’re an experienced director and would like to refresh your knowledge, HMRC has a range of support for you. Company directors – payroll and you: This recording of a recent live webinar gives an overview of tax and National Insurance for company directors, including expenses and benefits. […]

SAIF Member Paul Capper will ‘Serve them all my days.”

Someone once said to me, “No wonder you hang about the Legion. It’s full of old people and you are a funeral director.” Funny for some, but a careless thought when you don’t know someone. I was brought up in a military family with, like a lot of us, family members whose service to this […]

Prospective new applicant in Glasgow

SAIF has received an application from a prospective member who have premises based in Fintry, Lennoxtown & Kirkintilloch. Please log onto the members area and visit the ‘membership pending’ page to see further details.

SAIF Members’ Webinar – making sense of government changes affecting the profession

In an incredibly busy year for government investigations into the funeral profession and pre-paid plans, Paul Allcock will provide a follow-up to his update in May. He will highlight the developments of the various consultations and implications for how funeral businesses may need to change. What’s a webinar? The webinar format allows SAIF to deliver relevant […]

SAIF Members’ Meeting at Fareham on 12th November

SAIF Members along the South Coast are invited to join a meeting run by Members at the historic venue of Fort Nelson at Fareham. In addition to keeping up to date with all funeral matters, there will be an opportunity to hear a presentation by Southampton’s Medical Examiner. A light buffet is included. Please book […]

Book your SAIF 2020 AGM Weekend now

Next year’s AGM Banquet Weekend will take place at the Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow from 13th to 15th March. As usual, the weekend will include: Friday – Associate Members’ Lunch Friday – afternoon presentation Saturday – Annual General Meeting Saturday – SAIF’s NextGen Meeting Saturday – Banquet Sunday – Installation of Officers Click here […]

SAIF Business Centre Fax

Dear Colleagues We are pleased to let you know that the fax is ‘up and running’ again. Thank you for your patience.