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Give your views on bereavement

The UK Commission on Bereavement is an independent commission set up to review the experiences of, and support available for, people affected by bereavement. It will make recommendations to key decision-makers including the UK Government, and each of the devolved administrations. Their work will be informed by, but not limited to, experiences of bereavement during […]

Lest we forget

Don’t forget Remembrance Day today: one minute’s silence at 11.00 this morning (if possible).

Mind launches Grief in Pieces service

The charity Mind (in North East London) is holding an online event on 25th November at 6-7 pm to mark the launch of the new Grief in Pieces service. You will get a chance to hear some stories from people who have been impacted by suicide loss and why the service is important, learn about values, […]

Funeral self-help book by SAIF Member

A new funeral self-help book ‘Funerals your way’ is now available. Written by SAIF Member Dr Sarah Jones, the book gives information, suggestions and step-by-step guidance needed to create funerals that truly reflect the person who has died. This second edition includes updated chapters about green funerals, funerals in the digital age and information about how […]

Prospective new member in Cleveland

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

Funeral plan regulations: Q&A session at SAIF’s Education Day

SAIF’s Education Day will feature a panel of experts who will take questions on preparing or funeral plan regulations. Chaired by SAIF Executive Committee Member Declan Maguire, the panel will include Mark Moran of Golden Charter, John Taplin of Open Prepaid Plans, Brian Floyd of Golden Leaves and Chris Clarke of Ecclesiastical Planning Services. All […]

What do you know about emotional intelligence?

Wikipedia defines emotional intelligence as “the ability to perceive, use, understand, manage, and handle emotions. People with high emotional intelligence can recognise their own emotions and those of others, use emotional information to guide thinking and behaviour, discern between different feelings and label them appropriately, and adjust emotions to adapt to environments.” Is emotional intelligence […]

Addressing environmental issues at SAIF’s Education Day

Simon Holbrook, Senior Advisor on Regulated Activity at The Environment Agency will address SAIF’s Education Day on this topical theme. With the United Nations Climate Change Conference (Cop26) headlining the news at the moment, we all know the need to better care for our planet, but how does the funeral profession do this? Find out […]

Learn about diversity & inclusion at SAIF’s Education Day

Sheri Hughes, UK Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Director at PageGroup, will address SAIF’s Education Day on this often overlooked aspect of the profession. PageGroup don’t just lead in D&I from an industry perspective but hold some of the most prestigious D&I accolades, such as: The Times Top 50 Employers for Women 2020 & 2018, Inclusive Companies […]

Children’s Funeral Fund for England – update

The Government has updated the expenses claim form for the Children’s Funeral Fund for England with a new processing office address following a relocation of civil servants from Blackpool to Wales. The forms are to be used by funeral directors to recover costs incurred when arranging a child’s funeral in England and are applicable to […]

SAIF Education Day – 10th November

Open to all funeral professionals, our Education Day will take place on 10th November at the Leicester Tigers Ground in the centre of Leicester. The event offers a fantastic opportunity to learn about key issues affecting the funeral profession including: Update on regulations including preparation for FCA funeral plan regulations The impact of the profession […]

Matt Gallagher Award 2022 announced

The Independent Funeral Directors (IFD) College are pleased to announce that nominations for the 2022 Matt Gallagher Award for the Student of the Year are now open. Nominations are open to any IFD College student or member who has shown exceptional ability, who has used their IFD College training in a positive way who has […]

Updated government advice on attending funerals from overseas

The Government has updated guidance for funerals and commemorative events to reflect changes to regulations when entering England from overseas. If you qualify under fully vaccinated rules and are from a non-red list country, there’s no need to quarantine. Read more here

Prospective new member in Manchester

SAIF has received an application from a prospective Funeral Director based in Failsworth, Manchester 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 Dumfries & Galloway

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

Prospective new member in County Tyrone

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

All Party Parliamentary Group for Funerals and Bereavement annual report published

SAIF members will be interested to learn that the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Funerals and Bereavement (APPGFB) in Westminster, of which SAIF is a leading member, has published its Annual Report. The document, which can be downloaded here, charts a momentous year in the funeral profession as it rose to the challenge of the pandemic […]

SAIF responds to National Resilience Strategy consultation

SAIF recently submitted a detailed response to the UK Government’s National Resilience Strategy Call for Evidence. On behalf of independent funeral directors, SAIF argued strongly for: Formal recognition of funeral directors as category 2 first responders to ensure fast and frictionless access to emergency equipment and assets such as PPE and vaccines A consistent Local Resilience […]

Prospective new Associate member in Glasgow

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

Vaccination update for SAIF Members: visiting care homes

From 11th November 2021, funeral directors, along with other professionals, will berequired to show proof of vaccination when visiting CQC-registered care homes inEngland. Funeral directors who have been vaccinated by the NHS in England maydemonstrate their vaccination status using the NHS Covid Pass service via the followingthree routes: The NHS App The NHS website – […]

SAIF members reminded to report information to CMA

SAIF politely reminds members whose businesses operate five branches or more of the need to report funerals and revenue information to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). This requirement applies from the first working day of October 2021 and is to cover the period between the date when the Order was made (16th June 2021) […]

SAIF supports members in fuel supply crisis

 SAIF attended a meeting with the Cabinet Office on Thursday 30th September following submissions in which we argued for funeral directors to be considered for special access to fuel supplies. This was amid concerns that some services such as coroner’s contract removals could be disrupted. At this stage, according to the Government, with supplies easing it […]

Prospective new member in West Midlands

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

Prospective new member in East Sussex

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

Join SAIF in Manchester – 23rd September

The past year has probably been the most challenging year ever faced by funeral directors. Now that we’re returning to everyday life alongside COVID-19, SAIF is hosting a regional meeting near you to ensure members are up to date with the issues affecting how funeral directors run their day to day business: The Competition and Markets […]

Join SAIF in Washington – 22nd September

The past year has probably been the most challenging year ever faced by funeral directors. Now that we’re returning to everyday life alongside COVID-19, SAIF is hosting a regional meeting near you to ensure members are up to date with the issues affecting how funeral directors run their day to day business: The Competition and Markets […]

Prospective new member in Tyne & Wear

SAIF has received an application from a prospective Funeral Director based in Sunderland, Tyne & Wear Please 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 Stanford-Le-Hope, Essex Please log onto the members area and visit the ‘membership pending’ page to see further details.

Join SAIF in Bury St Edmunds – 14th September

The past year has probably been the most challenging year ever faced by funeral directors. Now that we’re returning to everyday life alongside COVID-19, SAIF is hosting a regional meeting near you to ensure members are up to date with the issues affecting how funeral directors run their day to day business: The Competition and Markets […]

Prospective new member in Argyll

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

Prospective new Associate member in Sheffield

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

Prospective new member in Torfaen

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

Prospective new member in Antrim

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

Notice of SAIF Special General Meeting 2021

SAIF’s Special General Meeting (SGM) will take place on 14th September 2.30 pm at The Manor of Groves Hotel, Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire. More information about the SGM is available on the Members’ area here. SAIF Members will be emailed the notice of the SGM which contains a reply slip to advise whether or not your company […]

Information Commissioner’s Office letter is not a scam

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is the UK regulator for data protection and information rights. In August 2021 they will be writing to organisations in our sector to remind them that they may have a legal responsibility to register with the ICO and pay the data protection fee. For most companies this is £35 or […]

CMA Order requirements – mobile phones

The CMA Order requires that a funeral director’s Standardised Price List (SPL) is one click away from their website homepage (where they have a website). A SAIF Associate raised the question that if someone views a website on a mobile device, the SPL will be more than one click away.  The CMA Explanatory Notes do […]

Updated HSE advice on ventilation

HSE’s updated guidance will help you identify poor ventilation in work areas and take practical steps to improve it. This can help reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading in your workplace. Their updated guidance includes information on: identifying poorly ventilated areas and using CO2 monitors improving natural ventilation how to improve mechanical ventilation air cleaning and filtration […]

Financial Conduct Authority report – feedback sought

The FCA has published its funeral plan regulation policy statement, setting out the majority of its final rules for the regulation of prepaid funeral plans which comes into force in July 2022. The content is primarily aimed at plan providers, however, it is sensible for funeral directors who sell plans to stay up-to-speed on developments. There […]

SAIF guiding Members through CMA compliance

SAIF has provided a new resource for Members preparing for CMA compliance by 16th September 2021. Members may now download a Checklist which highlights which actions need to be taken, depending on the size of the company (in terms of the number of branches). The document has been checked by the CMA. Members should login […]

Prospective new associate in Berkshire.

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

Are you ready for CMA Order compliance?

All funeral directors must be compliant with the CMA Order by 16th September. Find the answers to all of your questions on our Members’ area: Recordings of webinars CMA documents including the Standardised Price List to download FAQ document Our next Members’ webinar will be 20th July at 3 pm when two representatives from the […]

Prospective new Associate member in Cornwall

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

CMA Legal Order – online pricing

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) today (16/06/21) published a legally binding order which requires funeral businesses to adhere to specific requirements. In particular, funeral companies must display their prices in accordance with a pre-determined template, along with other transparency measures. Funeral directors will then have three months in which to comply with the Legal […]

Prospective new member in Lancashire

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

Prospective new member in Wiltshire

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

Kickstart scheme

This video provides help for companies applying for the government’s Kickstart scheme:

Is change a threat or an opportunity?

SAIF thanks Paul Allcock for his words. Paul is SAIF’s government liaison rep, a past president and long-standing member of the Executive Committee. As we reach the middle of 2021 and the workload for funeral directors appears to continue to ease, finally after 18 months of strain and stress, I’m sure I’m not alone in my […]

Prospective new member in Devon

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

Prospective new member in London

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

Would you like the UK Government to pay for your next staff member?

The Kickstart scheme has now been opened for individual business applications allowing you to access funding to cover the cost of a new staff member for 25 hours a week for six months.  The scheme has been adopted by a range of employers, from large companies such as Dominos, Tesco and Severn Trent to small and medium […]

Prospective new member in Swansea

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

Prospective new member in Worcestershire

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

‘We offer testing to our staff’ scheme

A new scheme for businesses offering workplace testing for staff through NHS Test and Trace has been launched across the UK. The aim is to show customers, employees and the wider public how businesses are going the extra mile to keep their staff and the public safe. Businesses that offer rapid workplace testing to staff, […]

SAIF Members – get up to speed with funeral expenses payments

Join SAIF’s UK Government Liaison, Paul Allcock, for your chance to listen to the latest guidelines from Department Work and Pensions (DWP) on Funeral Expenses Payments. Paul will meet with representatives from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP)’s Poverty, Families and Disadvantage Division, including from the Policy and Operations areas. During the webinar, you’ll […]

Prospective new 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.