SAIF Members – watch the webinar on direct cremations
A recording is now available of our recent webinar on direct cremations. The session included a presentation by Canon Sandra Millar of the research undertaken by the Church of England into how the pandemic has changed attitudes to death, bereavement and funeral choices. Sandra describes the increase of direct cremations and the benefits and problems […]
SAIF AGM 2022 – Notice of Meeting
SAIF’s Annual General Meeting 2022 will be held at 9.30 am until 12.00 noon on 19th March 2022. Members may attend in person at the Dalmahoy Hotel, Edinburgh or online. All documents relating to the meeting may be found on the Members’ area: Login to the Members’ area here. If you have any difficulties access […]
Prospective new Associate member in East Lothian
SAIF has received an application from a prospective associate member based in MacMerry, East Lothian. 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 Bromley, Kent Please log onto the members area and visit the ‘membership pending’ page to see further details.
Prospective new member in Derbyshire
SAIF has received an application from a prospective Funeral Director based in High Peak, Derbyshire Please log onto the members area and visit the ‘membership pending’ page to see further details.
Prospective new member in Cheshire
SAIF has received an application from a prospective Funeral Director based in Knutsford, Cheshire Please log onto the members area and visit the ‘membership pending’ page to see further details.
Research into client vulnerability in the funeral sector
Down to Earth, Quaker Social Action’s funeral costs helpline, has been operating for over a decade. Their small team supports people on low incomes who struggle with funeral costs. Their consumer tool, the Fair Funerals pledge, advocating for price transparency, was initially developed in 2015. The organisation is now reviewing the pledge following the Competition […]
Prospective new Associate Member in The Netherlands
SAIF has received an application from a prospective associate member based in Someren, The Netherlands with agents in Hampshire and Yorkshire. Please log onto the members area and visit the ‘membership pending’ page to see further details.
Deadline for IFD College Student Award – 14th February
The Independent Funeral Directors (IFD) College are looking for an IFD College student or member who has shown exceptional ability, who has used their IFD College training in a positive way who has risen to a challenge or is considered worthy in some other way. The winner will receive the trophy plus a replica to […]
Like to represent SAIF members?
Are you interested in representing the SAIF membership by becoming a SAIF Executive Committee member? If so, we’d like to hear from you. Please complete the nomination form and submit this to claire@saif-jrxkty6gv2.live-website.com along with a 120 word (approx.) biography/ profile and a current hi-res photo. Download the nomination form here: Completed nominations must be […]
Prospective associate in Gloucestershire.
SAIF has received an application from a prospective associate member based in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Please log onto the members area and visit the ‘membership pending’ page to see further details.
Six reasons to choose an independent funeral director
Across the UK there are an estimated 7,000 funeral homes, the majority of which are operated by independent, family-run businesses. SAIF exists to represent these small firms and support their mission to deliver the best possible service to clients. But why should bereaved people choose a small company to handle a loved one’s funeral over […]
Find bereavement resources at AtaLoss.org
AtaLoss.org has created a video to help bereaved people which may be watched here. The organisation provides the UK’s signposting website for anyone bereaved and those supporting them. Visit AtaLoss to find resources on specialist, national and local services, free and paid for, from all sectors. SAIF is delighted to be an Associate of AtaLoss.
Catch up with colleagues at SAIF’s AGM Weekend
Our last AGM Weekend took place two years ago in Glasgow. Since then, we’ve missed the social interaction prevented by Covid restrictions. This year’s AGM Weekend is a perfect opportunity to meet up with the friends and colleagues from around the country we’ve not seen in a long time. There’s a range of social activities […]
Made your nomination for Student of the Year?
Time is running out for nominations for the 2022 Matt Gallagher Award for the Student of the Year. The Independent Funeral Directors (IFD) College are looking for an IFD College student or member who has shown exceptional ability, who has used their IFD College training in a positive way who has risen to a challenge […]
Nominations sought for SAIF Exec Committee
Are you interested in representing the SAIF membership by becoming a SAIF Executive Committee member? If so, we’d like to hear from you. Please complete the nomination form and submit this to claire@saif-jrxkty6gv2.live-website.com along with a 120 word (approx.) biography/ profile and a current hi-res photo. Download the nomination form here: Completed nominations must be […]
New Year’s Resolution: book your SAIF AGM Weekend now!
We’re excited about our weekend at the beautiful Dalmahoy Hotel in March. As well as the Annual General Meeting, we’ll have a keynote speaker, a Q&A Session and Associates’ lunch. We’ll celebrate two years of National Presidency by Mark Porteous and welcome his successor. There will be a golf tournament for ladies and gents, St […]
Nominations sought for IFD College student award
Do you know an Independent Funeral Directors’ (IFD) College student who is currently facing challenges or did whilst completing their IFD course? Those challenges may be, for example, personal, domestic, educational or physical. Why not nominate the student, or nominate yourself if you’re a student, to be the winner of the Matthew Gallagher Award 2022? […]
SAIF Care Christmas Opening Hours
The office, email and helplines will close at 9pm on Thursday 23rd December for the Christmas and New Year period and will reopen at 9am on Tuesday 4th January 2022. While emails, calls and messages will be checked from time to time, they will not be responded to unless they are urgent. We will endeavour […]
Record your views on bereavement support by 31st December
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 […]
Prospective new member in Cambridgeshire
SAIF has received an application from a prospective Funeral Director based in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire Please log onto the members area and visit the ‘membership pending’ page to see further details.
Could you represent SAIF’s membership?
Are you interested in representing the SAIF membership by becoming a SAIF Executive Committee member? If so, we’d like to hear from you. Please complete the nomination form and submit this to claire@saif-jrxkty6gv2.live-website.com along with a 120 word (approx.) biography/ profile and a current hi-res photo. Download the nomination form here: Completed nominations must be […]
Funeral and bereavement news
The November newsletter from the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Funerals and Bereavement has been published. Read it here.
SAIF Member alert
One of our members was approached by a salesperson from a company claiming that SAIF had asked him to call. For clarification: SAIF does not ask any companies to call our members. To check if a company is a genuine SAIF Associate: Go to Find an Associate Member On Location – select UK wide from […]
SAIF Christmas Opening Hours
Over the Christmas period the SAIF Business Centre opening times will be: Friday 24th December 9.00 – 15.00 Wednesday 29th December 10.00 – 14.00 Thursday 30th December 10.00 – 14.00 Friday 31st December 10.00 – 14.00 Normal hours from Tuesday 4th January 2022
SAIF AGM Banquet Weekend 2022 – open for bookings
Following an online AGM this year, we are eagerly planning a whole weekend of activities for our AGM Banquet Weekend 2022. As well as the Annual General Meeting, we’ll have a keynote speaker, a Q&A Session and Associates’ lunch. We’ll celebrate two years of National Presidency by Mark Porteous and welcome his successor. There will […]
Parochial fees 2022
SAIF Members please note that the Church of England has published parochial fees for 2022.
Prospective new member in West Yorkshire
SAIF has received an application from a prospective Funeral Director based in Leeds, West Yorkshire with 2 additional branches also in Leeds. Please log onto the members area and visit the ‘membership pending’ page to see further details.
Prospective new Associate Member in Gwent
SAIF has received an application from a prospective Associate member based in Newport, Gwent Please log onto the members area and visit the ‘membership pending’ page to see further details.
Prospective new member in Norfolk
SAIF has received an application from a prospective Funeral Director based in Kings Lynn, Norfolk Please log onto the members area and visit the ‘membership pending’ page to see further details.
Prospective new Associate member in Co. Antrim
SAIF has received an application from a prospective Associate member in Ballymena, Co. Antrim Please log onto the members area and visit the ‘membership pending’ page to see further details.
Do you know a Student of the Year?
The Independent Funeral Directors (IFD) College are looking for an IFD College student or member who has shown exceptional ability, who has used their IFD College training in a positive way who has risen to a challenge or is considered worthy in some other way. Nominations are now invited for the 2022 Matt Gallagher Award […]
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.
Give your views on bereavement support
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 […]
A very educational day
Despite Covid set-backs, there was an excellent turnout for SAIF’s Education Day on 10th November at the Leicester Tigers’ ground in Leicester. Attendees learnt about diversity and inclusion in the funeral profession; how funeral directors can reduce their environmental impact; and the importance of emotional intelligence for funeral arrangers. A panel of Associate members updated […]
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 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 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 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.
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) […]
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 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.