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SAIF welcomes new President Declan Maguire

Declan Maguire is SAIF’s National President for 2024/25. Dec is a director at Anderson Maguire Funeral Service in Glasgow and has been a long standing member of SAIF’s Executive Committee. His chosen charity of the year is My Name’5 Dobbie which fundraises for research into a cure for Motor Neuron Disease.

Moving human remains from GB to NI

SAIF has been advised by His Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC) with an update on customs requirements when moving human remains from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. SAIF Members may login to the Members’ area then use this link to read the information.

AGM Weekend

SAIF wishes all attendees safe travels and an enjoyable weekend. Members who aren’t attending the AGM may download the AGM Booklet from the Members’ area here.

Statement: Legacy Independent Funeral Directors

SAIF is deeply distressed about reports of arrests at a funeral directors in Hull following a police investigation. We understand that many members of the public will be concerned about these developments too.  Our advice to bereaved families who are currently in the process of instructing a funeral director is to check that the business […]

Medical Examiner system implementation hit by possible delay

SAIF is unsurprised to learn that the implementation of the already-delayed statutory Medical Examiner system for England and Wales will not happen during the first half of April. According to an update from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ)’s Burial, Cremation and Funeral Sector Policy Team, the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), which is […]

Prospective new Associate member in Wales

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

Prospective new member in Merseyside

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

Official code of practice for funeral directors approved by Scottish parliament

The first major step in the regulation of the funeral profession in Scotland has been taken with the approval of a statutory code of practice.  The Scottish Government’s Funeral Director Code of Practice was rubber stamped by the Holyrood parliament on 31st January and businesses have a one-year grace period from 1st March in which […]

Prospective new Associate member in East Sussex

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

Prospective new member in Shropshire

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

Prospective new Associate Member in Staffordshire

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

A marked improvement: corporate price gouging tamed by CMA Order

SAIF is pleased to see that the large corporates and chains, whose above-inflation price rises sparked an official probe into the funeral sector, are finally attempting to get their fees under control. This is, of course, thanks to the imposition of strict regulation and not due to boardrooms suddenly discovering a moral compass. Today’s (09.02.24) […]

Prospective new member in East Sussex

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

Prospective new member in Essex

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

SunLife’s Cost of Dying report – a deeper analysis…

Like rain on your wedding day: over 50s life insurance and the cost of funerals If singer Alanis Morrissette were to write a song about irony today, she’d surely mention the yearly report on the ‘extortionate’ price of death by a company whose funeral financing products can end up costing more than they pay out. […]

Prospective new member in Cornwall

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

Third year anniversary sees successful Diamond Partnership expansion

SAIF is pleased to see the Diamond Partnership, our industry leading initiative with Westerleigh and Distinct Cremations, enter its third year. The scheme has become a vital part of the modern independent funeral director’s service offering at a time when venture capital-backed corporations are attempting to commodify funerals with direct cremation. To mark the Partnership’s […]

Prospective new member in Sunderland

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

Prospective new member in Lothian

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

SunLife Cost of Dying report highlights need for families to discuss funerals 

It’s unsurprising to see that the price of funerals continued to rise in 2023, as reported in SunLife’s annual Cost of Dying report.  Against a backdrop of soaring inflation, the costs associated with running premises and vehicles, as well as importing items such as flowers and coffins all mounted up last year.  Consequently funeral directors […]

Prospective new member in Devon

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

What has SAIF done for me in 2023? Quite a lot, actually.

It’s that time of year when many of us reflect on the past 12 months. Have we done everything we set out to do? What are the learnings? And how have we helped others? The team at SAIF Business Centre has been giving thought to these questions and we’re feeling very positive about both what […]

Are people really turning off funerals? We don’t think so

Christian thinktank Theos’ latest report on funeral trends asks important questions about our final act in life. And the findings paint a picture as complex as bereavement itself. Typically sensationalist, media reports about the study titled Love, Grief, and Hope: Emotional responses to death and dying in the UK have been quick to position the […]

SAIF’s charity – double your donation

Charities across the world celebrated Giving Tuesday on 28th November. For Honeypot, SAIF’s Charity of the Year, Giving Tuesday continues to Tuesday 5th December. Any donation you make until then will be doubled. Honeypot supports young carers, who juggle up to 50 hours of care per week alongside school life and other responsibilities. Can you help? […]

Prospective new member in East Yorkshire

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

Prospective new member in Swansea

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

SAIF Member learning opportunity – CPD in your own time

SAIF Members may now download a recording of the recent webinar on direct cremation. The session focused on the future of Direct Cremation and how independent funeral directors should respond. Building on SAIF’s successful Direct Cremation Toolkit, which is being adopted by members across the country, the discussion enabled funeral business owners to hone their approach […]

Need an update on funeral related DWP payments?

SAIF Member Webinar: 21st November 3-4 pm Join our webinar with SAIF’s UK Government Liaison, Paul Allcock, to hear the latest news from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Paul will meet with representatives of the DWP’s Policy Group Poverty, Families and Disadvantage Directorate. They will cover: SAIF Members register for the webinar here.

Direct cremation webinar for SAIF Members

7th November – 3 pm What is the future of direct cremation? And how should independent funeral directors respond or modify their businesses in a changing world? The answers to these questions and more will be provided in this special webinar focusing on unattended funerals. Building on SAIF’s successful Direct Cremation Toolkit, which is being […]

Booking open for SAIF Wales Christmas Dinner

A warm invitation to SAIF members, associates and friends to the SAIF Wales Christmas Dinner 2024. Join SAIF’s National President Mark Horton and your SAIF colleagues for an evening of festive food, fun and friendship. We’re holding the event at the Diplomat Hotel in Llanelli and hope you’re able to come along on Friday 24th […]

Prospective new Associate Member in Suffolk

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

Prospective new member in South Ayrshire

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

Prospective new member in Cleveland

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

New partnership gives SAIF members access to top business advice

SAIF members are to benefit from a new source of authoritative business advice after the Society was approved as a partner of Buckinghamshire and Surrey (Surrey County Council) Trading Standards’ Primary Authority Scheme. The Primary Authority partnership enables both independent funeral director and supplier members of SAIF to receive, via a single point of contact, […]

Obituary

SAIF sadly announces the death of Peter Martin on 12th September 2023. Mr Martin was previous owner of The Martins Funeral Directors in West Sussex. The funeral service will be held on Wednesday 4th October 2023 at 12 noon, at Crawley Baptist Church, Crabtree Road, Crawley, West Sussex, RH11 7HJ. All family and friends are […]

Prospective new Associate Member in Worcestershire

SAIF has received an application from a prospective Associate Member based in Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire Please log onto the members area and visit the ‘membership pending’ page to see further details.

Prospective new member in Dorset

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

Making more informed funeral choices

Date: 11th October 2023Venue: The Hall, Stepcote Hill, Exeter, EX1 1BDFrom: 6:30 pm Confused about what a direct cremation actually means? The list of services included varies enormously between different funeral companies. The confusion can lead to additional distress to bereaved families and can impact their grief journey. Why not join us for an information […]

Guiding the grief journey – SAIF Member webinar

Each person grieves in their own unique way. How do you ensure you’re giving the most appropriate guidance on bereavement support? Is online support the best route or would individual counselling work better? Join our webinar on 27th September when we’ll explore two different sources of help for your families:  This online resource, developed as […]

Scottish Government consults funeral sector on regulation, licensing

Four major consultation papers on the regulation of funerals in Scotland launch today (August 25, 2023). ‌The Scottish Government’s public consultations focus on the inspection of the funeral sector, licensing of funeral directors, burial ground management and alkaline hydrolysis. ‌SAIF Scotland encourages members in Scotland to submit their thoughts and perspectives on each topic, and […]

Are you looking for a new challenge? 

We’re looking for members to join SAIF’s National Executive Committee. Do you have a specialist knowledge, experience or competency in any of these areas: Find out more and complete the nomination form by 15th September.

Autumn Education Day open to all

30th September: The Vale Resort, Vale of Glamorgan Following a sold-out event in Leicester, the SAIF Education Day series continues in Cardiff. Members and Non members are welcome to join us for a stellar line up of speakers including Dr Jason Shannon, Lead Medical Examiner for Wales, Professor Heather Conway discussing Cremation Law in England […]

Thank you to SAIF Members!

Thank you for taking the time to complete our recent short questionnaire on issues with the death registration process. This is obviously a major issue for some of our members, although fortunately not everywhere in the country. The survey results will be published in September’s SAIF Spotlight email and will be forwarded to the Ministry […]

Prospective new member in Cornwall

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

New rules aim to give financial product consumers a better deal

It may have passed unnoticed by some this week but the new Consumer Duty rules implemented by the Financial Conduct Authority are a big development for those who offer regulated financial products – for instance, prepaid funeral plans. The rules came into force on Monday, 31st July, and give financial service providers three new responsibilities, […]

Prospective new member in West Yorkshire

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

First fully digital SAIFInsight now ready!

July’s SAIFInsight is now available and it’s our first fully digital issue. Click here to read the July edition. We have added to our usual print issues (which we also make available online at saifinsight.co.uk) with this new format for one additional bonus issue: a magazine made entirely for access online. That means you can […]

SAIF Members Webinar: Fitness for funerals

Are you mentally and physically fit enough to meet the daily challenges facing funeral professionals? Join our Members Webinar with Katie Stevenson, a qualified fitness trainer and mental health and exercise coach. Katie is also a funeral director with Paul Stevenson Funeral Directors in Ayrshire. Katie’s presentation will cover: Learn how fitness and well-being can […]

SAIF Members – death registration problems?

Have you experienced any problems with death registration? SAIF’s government liaison, Paul Allcock, would like to hear from you. Whether or not you’ve come across issues, please complete a very short online form here by 14th July. Your help is much appreciated.

Walking 42 miles in one day!

That’s what SAIF’s adventurers will be doing to raise vital funds for the President’s 2023 Charity of the Year. Brian Hart, Becky Horton, Brian Stock and Gary Staker will be tackling the Lyke Wake Walk on 15th July. Weather permitting, they’ll enjoy the beautiful scenery of North Yorkshire, beginning at 4 am and ending by […]

Prospective new Associate Member in Suffolk

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

Prospective new member in West Midlands

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

SAIF formally approved as an alternative dispute resolution body

SAIF is pleased to announce that it has been approved by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) as an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) body. It means that the Society has met the stringent criteria needed to resolve disputes between parties out of court, giving members and their clients the confidence that disagreements over complaints will […]