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SAIF partner on BBC Radio 4

SAIF partner Support After Suicide Partnership (SASP) was featured on Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour this morning (15th February). Sarah Bates, who has presented webinars for SAIF members, was interviewed during an article on dealing with the suicide of a friend. The article was timed to coincide with the first anniversary of the suicide of celebrity […]

Prospective new Associate member in Norfolk

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

Need to make time for self-care?

It’s a well known phrase that we can’t pour out of an empty cup – if you want to support other people, you need to look after yourself first. If this sounds familiar, make time for yourself to watch the recording of our Members’ webinar with Joanna Williams, Head of Counselling at Professional Care. In […]

Nominate your hero

Nye Bevan and People’s NHS Day – 5th July 2021 Aneurin (Nye) Bevan was an inspirational leader who founded our outstanding NHS.  We now have a health service which is the envy of the world. During the early stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic, our doctors and nurses bore the brunt of the virus and rightly […]

Prospective new member in Staffordshire

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

Time to think about your mental wellbeing? SAIF Webinar 9th February

When was the last time you thought about your mental wellbeing? Funeral directors are doing an amazing job in extremely challenging times. But all of these pressures can come at a cost to your mental health. Joanna Williams of Professional Help will present our next webinar on caring for the mental health of your clients, staff […]

Covid-19: independent funeral directors go to incredible lengths to care for families

At SAIF, we’re incredibly proud of the care independent funeral directors have provided to bereaved families during the pandemic. We’re also conscious that these critical workers are facing huge emotional challenges as a result of Covid-19. On that note, we thank Jack O’Malley, of O’Malley Family Funerals in Cannock, for taking the time to talk […]

Helpful short film about grief from Child Bereavement UK

Child Bereavement UK have produced an animated short film designed to help bereaved children and families to understand their grief and how to manage it. Based on The Invisible Suitcase by Ian Woodroffe, the film uses the metaphor of an invisible suitcase to show how we all carry our experiences and emotions through life. None of us […]

Supporting each other has never been so important

SAIF thanks Paul Allcock for this blog. Paul is SAIF’s government liaison rep, a past president and long-standing member of the Executive Committee. As we enter a new year, we find ourselves finally with some hope that the coronavirus vaccines have finally arrived and that the light at the end of the tunnel is now […]

Who deserves the Matthew Gallagher Achievement Award?

Do you know an Independent Funeral Directors’ (IFD) College student who is currently facing challenges or did whilst completing their course during March 2019 to March 2020? 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 first winner […]

Death notification form for the bereaved

SAIF has been asked to share these details from Suicide Bereavement UK: “I am mindful of the thousands of people who have been recently been bereaved, during these unprecedented times. Notifying agencies of a family member’s death is an extremely difficult, emotionally charged and labour intensive task for the bereaved.  Many are uncertain who to […]

Join SAIF’s Support Call on Thursday

SAIF Member Support Call – Thursday 21st January at 9 am In addition to our frequent email bulletins, SAIF is now offering members regular Support Calls. These are designed to give our members access to the latest updates, to ask questions specific to their own situation and to share best practice. The format is an […]

Tell us once – how funeral directors can help

HM Government’s Tell Us Once service (TUO) is a free, cross-government service designed to support bereaved citizens.  It enables them to report a verified death to multiple local and central government organisations in one go.  It’s available to everyone living in England, Scotland, and Wales via Local Authority Registrars. How can Funeral Directors help? Schedule […]

Wheelchair service for funerals in the South East

SAIF has been contacted by the British Red Cross who can provide wheelchairs to bereaved families to help them attend the funeral of a loved one: “We know that people do come to us for a wheelchair to attend these services, especially if they are frail or have mobility issues and we fully understand the […]

Moving article reveals impact of Covid on families and Funerals

“It is difficult to observe families leave separately from a funeral and go home, rather than support each other and share memories together at a reception.” – SAIF member Daniel Ackerley of John Duckworth Funeral Directors reveals the impact of Covid on families and funeral directors in this poignant article in the Church Times. There […]

Prospective new Associate member in Ireland

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

“Together we can do great things”

SAIF thanks Paul Allcock, SAIF’s Government Liaison rep, Past President and long-standing Exec Committee Member for his words: As we enter a new year, we find ourselves finally with some hope that the coronavirus vaccines have finally arrived and that the light at the end of the tunnel is now in sight, even if it […]

Prospective new member in Surrey

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

SAIF Webinar today 13th January

Join us for the next in our series of webinars to help members prepare for online pricing. SAIF Associate Member Chris Elwood of Comtecs will present the next webinar on 13th January. Prepare your website for online pricing The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) have now published their final report into the funeral profession. As […]

Vaccine for funeral service staff

The delivery of the Covid-19 vaccine to funeral staff is proving to be inconsistent across Britain. SAIF has received reports that some Clinical Commissioning Groups and GP surgeries are booking funeral staff for the vaccination. However, it remains the case that many others are still to advise how funeral directors will access the jab. SAIF and colleagues at the Deceased […]

Prospective new member in Tyne & Wear

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

SAIF Member Support Call 21st January

SAIF Member Support Call – Thursday 21st January at 9 am In addition to our frequent email bulletins, SAIF is now offering members regular Support Calls. These are designed to give our members access to the latest updates, to ask questions specific to their own situation and to share best practice. The format is an […]

SAIF’s Winter Covid-19 Contingency Plan

SAIF has launched a Winter CoVid-19 Contingency Plan to support our members during this extremely difficult time. The new dedicated support service is available free of charge to all members using a new platform – the SAIF Slack app for smartphones, tablet and PCs. What is the SAIF CoVid-19 Contingency Plan? A dedicated team of funeral […]

Humber Snipe limo required in Merseyside area

One of our members is looking to hire a Humber snipe limousine for a funeral service in the Sefton/Merseyside area on 14th January. If you can help, please contact Iain Dean at info@deanbros.co.uk Many thanks.

SAIF Members’ online pricing toolkit

As mentioned in SAIFinsight, SAIF has provided an online toolkit for members to help with the move to online pricing. Members may read the toolkit here. Remember to login to the Members’ area for the link to work. Please contact SAIF Business Centre if you’re unable to login to the Members’ area. In addition to […]

SAIF presses for clarity on funeral director vaccination

Following news that the top four priority groups for vaccination (amongst which are funeral operatives) are to receive their jabs by mid-February, SAIF is acting with fresh urgency to establish how, when and where funeral directors will be called for their first dose. SAIF also wants to know which vaccine will be administered, as well as […]

Beware of vaccine scam

This advert is being circulated – please note that this is not from the NHS and is a scam.

Prospective new member in Somerset

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

SAIF Members’ webinar

Join us for the next in our series of webinars to help members prepare for online pricing. SAIF Associate Member Chris Elwood of Comtecs will present the next webinar on 13th January. Prepare your website for online pricing The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) have now published their final report into the funeral profession. As […]

Funeral workers to be prioritised for Covid-19 vaccine

We are incredibly pleased after extensive petitioning with the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation and the devolved governments alongside colleagues at DMAG and the Cabinet Office that frontline funeral workers will be prioritised for the vaccine. Please see page 11 of this Public Health England guide for details.

Happy New Year from SAIF

SAIF wishes all of our Funeral Director and Associate Members a happy and successful 2021. During this extremely busy and stressful season, rest assured that we are here to support you, so please contact us if we may of help. Telephone: 0345 230 6777 Email: info@saif.org.uk Members’ area of website The new Slack information platform […]

Appeals process for staff in critical services told to self-isolate

There is an appeals process for staff employed in critical services (which includes the funeral sector) who have been told to self-isolate due to being a close contact of a person testing positive for Covid19: Self-isolation due to close contact:If NHS Test and Trace identify you as a contact and you work in a critical […]

SAIF Member is awarded British Empire Medal

SAIF is delighted to report that Member Martin Rowley of Rowley and Sons Family Funeral Services in York has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM). Martin was awarded the British Empire Medal in the New Years Honours List published on 30th December. He will receive the award at a ceremony at a later date. […]

Changes to funerals in Tier 4

England – In Tier 4 areas, funerals can be attended by a maximum of 30 people and must only take place in Covid-19 secure venues or in public outdoor spaces unless in exceptional circumstances. Please note, linked religious, belief-based or commemorative events, such as stone settings and ash scatterings can also continue with up to 6 […]

In time of test, family is best

SAIF thanks Paul Allcock for this blog. Paul is Past President, Government Liaison rep and long-standing member of the Executive Committee. The primary concern for many businesses at this time is their viability in an ever-changing world. But for funeral directors, perhaps any threats are not from a tragic virus, but from the many external […]

SAIF webinar recording now available

As part of our ongoing webinar series to help members move to online pricing, Greg Clay of Funeralguide gave a useful presentation on why members should improve their online presence, how to do this and the benefits of joining an online comparison website. Greg noted that the number of people searching for a funeral director […]

Prospective new Probationary member in Devon

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

IFD College celebrates 25 years

Congratulations to the Independent Funeral Directors (IFD) College which is celebrating 25 years of training for the funeral profession. The college has units of training to suit every employee, from the part time driver/bearer to the full time Funeral Director. Training designed for anyone just entering the funeral profession or those who have been employed […]

Prospective new member in Merseyside

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

SAIF’s 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 21st – Wednesday 23rd December 9.00 am – 5.00 pm Thursday 24th December 9.00 am – 4.00 pm Friday 25th December Bank Holiday Monday 28th December Bank Holiday Tuesday […]

Keeping SAIF Members up-to-date on Brexit

The team at SAIF Business Centre is closely following the Brexit negotiations and analysing developments for any possible impacts on independent funeral directors. There will undoubtedly be a combination of specific and non-specific ramifications for the funeral profession. We will be all relevant information by an email Brexit Bulletin to Members, beginning with 9th December. […]

Message from The White Dove Company

After several conversations with DEFRA regarding the Avian Influenza (bird flu), they have now updated their conditions so The White Dove Company are now able to fly their birds if not based in a desease controlled zone.

Message from The White Dove Company

Due to a serious outbreak of Avian Influenza – as from Monday 14th December 2020 all captive birds in England, Scotland and Wales are to remain inside until further notice and guidance from (DEFRA) the UK Government Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.  Therefore, it is with regret that we can no longer offer […]

SAIF Member Events

The winter months will undoubtedly be more challenging this year than in any previous one. In addition to expected higher than usual death rates due to Covid-19, the profession is preparing for potential government regulations with the move to transparent online pricing. To help you meet the new demands, we are offering regular online events: Member […]

Largest suicide bereavement survey discussed on BBC News

SAIF recently highlighted the ground-breaking research on suicide with the accounts of more than 7,000 people who have been affected by someone taking their own life in the UK.   Led by the University of Manchester in collaboration with the Support After Suicide Partnership (SASP), the research is the largest suicide bereavement survey internationally. The […]

Prospective new member in Kent

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

Prospective new Associate member

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

National Grief Awareness Week 2nd to 8th December

This annual national event is driven by The Good Grief Trust, the UK’s leading umbrella charity, bringing all UK bereavement services, support organisations and helplines together under one central database. Offering early signposting to a choice of support for both the bereaved and those working with them. They aim to normalise grief and get people […]

SAIF Member webinar tomorrow at 3 pm

We continue to support SAIF Members to move online with our next webinar, to be presented by Ciarán O’Toole of Golden Charter on 1st December at 3.00-4.00pm. More than 1,600 independent funeral directors are already benefitting from listing on localfuneral.co.uk, a free to use website created by Golden Charter, designed to connect you directly with […]

Ground-breaking research on suicide published

At the SAIF Education Day in 2018, Dr Sharon McDonnell shared news of ground-breaking research on suicide. The study went on to capture the accounts of more than 7,000 people who have been affected by someone taking their own life in the UK and its findings have been published this week.  Led by the University of Manchester in collaboration […]

SAIF Member webinar 1st December at 3 pm

We continue to support SAIF Members to move online with our next webinar, to be presented by Ciarán O’Toole of Golden Charter on Tuesday 1st December at 3.00-4.00pm. More than 1,600 independent funeral directors are already benefitting from listing on localfuneral.co.uk, a free to use website created by Golden Charter, designed to connect you directly […]

Prospective new Associate Member in Berkshire

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

Extra support for SAIF Members

SAIF Member Support Call – Thursday 26th November at 9 am SAIF has been sending regular email bulletins to keep members updated of restrictions, guidance and advice on running your funeral business but we’re keen to do more to support you. That’s why we’re introducing a SAIF Members Support Call, a chance to hear the […]

With a little help from my friends (and competitors)

SAIF thanks Paul Allcock, SAIF’s Government Liaison rep, Past President and long-standing Exec Committee Member for his words: As I write we appear to be entering the second wave of COVID-19 infections. There are varying tiers of restrictions across the UK which are changing at regular intervals. So how do we keep right up to […]

Prospective new Associate in Hertfordshire

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

New SAIFCare website

SAIFCare has recently launched a useful new website – www.saifcare.org.uk The SAIFCare bereavement support package is available to clients of all SAIF Members who wish to access grief care and bereavement support. which includes a telephone bereavement careline and email support. Clients are able to access trained and qualified staff provided by Professional Help Ltd, Monday […]