tridentadmin, Author at SAIF

FCA webinar for funeral plan intermediaries – recording

The FCA hosted a webinar on March 26th for funeral plan intermediaries. The recording may be watched here: https://webinars.fca.org.uk/fca-regulation-for-funeral-plan-1/room You can also visit their website to view further information and to submit your response to the consultation. SAIF Members may also watch the recording of the SAIF webinar with the FCA on the Members’ area […]

“Progress is impossible without change*”

SAIF thanks Paul Allcock for the blog. Paul is SAIF Past President, Government Liaison Rep and long standing Executive Committee member. As we begin to move out of the latest Covid-19 lockdown, many independent funeral directors will find themselves with some very welcome time on their hands. It wouldn’t surprise me if during these slack […]

SASP reducing stigma of suicide bereavement

Dr. Sharon McDonnell, speaker at a SAIF Education Day, recently published a report on her research findings of over 7000 people bereaved by suicide. Conducted on behalf of the University of Manchester and the Support After Suicide Partnership (SASP), the survey was the largest suicide bereavement survey internationally. The findings generated national and international interest […]

Can you support SAIF’s annual charity fundraiser?

Brian Hart and pals will be testing themselves on the Lake District Challenge on Saturday 12th June in some of England’s finest countryside. The fun will start at Challenge Base Camp in Kendal with a 100 km anticlockwise loop taking in a couple of tough hills, Ambleside, a half way point by Lake Windermere, forests […]

Support towards funeral costs for children in Wales

Housing and Local Government Minister Julie James announced over the weekend that families in Wales who have registered the loss of a child under the age of 18 will be able to receive £500 as a contribution towards funeral costs, in addition to burial/cremation fees being waived. £500 support for bereaved parents in Wales | […]

New contact details for SAIF’s legal helpline

We are pleased to inform SAIF members that there are now three separate speciality areas offered by our legal helpline: Legal Tax Redundancy Please login to the Members’ area here then use this link to find the helpline numbers. To use the service, simply state that you are a SAIF Member.

SAIF legal helpline temporarily unavailable

Due to technical issues beyond our control, the legal helpline is temporarily unavailable. Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused.

HSE keeping workplaces safe as restrictions are eased

HSE has produced a signposting page that provides the latest information on any changes related to workplace safety following the easing of coronavirus restrictions. The page on keeping workplaces safe as restrictions are eased covers the government’s roadmap out of lockdown and advice on returning to work safely. It also explains which restrictions are not changing […]

Prospective new member in Bedfordshire

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

HSE spot check spam

A SAIF member has brought to our attention a series of emails they have received supposedly relating to a spot check by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). There may be genuine emails by the HSE but these emails are delivered from a Polish email address. Before clicking any links in an HSE email, firstly […]

Focus on SAIF Members in Northern Ireland

We can’t yet meet in person but SAIF is still supporting members in the different regions online. You are warmly invited to join the: Northern Ireland Members’ Meeting on Tuesday 23rd March at 6 pm. SAIF’s CEO Terry Tennens will host the meeting which will cover funeral issues from a Northern Ireland perspective with special guest from the […]

SAIF Member Support Call – Thursday 18th March 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 online conference call, which members may join by video via desktop […]

Prospective new members in Co.Durham & Gloucestershire

SAIF has received an application from prospective new members based in Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire & Seaham, Co.Durham.Please log onto the members area and visit the ‘membership pending’ page to see further details.

Call for agreed protocol for funeral directors and police on mourner numbers

SAIF welcomes the latest intervention by Sir John Hayes MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Funerals and Bereavement, on the issue of policing funeral services during the pandemic. Sir John has written to the Police and Crime Commissioners for all 43 police forces in England and Wales to highlight some of the challenges […]

IFD College Courses are online!

Running courses has been difficult in the pandemic situation but the full range of courses are now taking place online. Please look at SAIF Events for course dates. If the course you are interested in is not currently available, or if you’d like further information, please contact IFD College Administrator Corinne Pengelly on 01279 726777 […]

Focus on SAIF Members in Wales

We can’t meet in person yet, but we’re still supporting members in the different regions online. You are warmly invited to join the: Wales Members’ Meeting on Tuesday 16th March at 6 pmThe meeting will cover funeral issues from a Welsh perspective with special guest from the Welsh Government, Dane Marsh. Dane is a member of the […]

Reminder: nominations welcomed for the IFD College new award

Nominations are welcomed for the Independent Funeral Directors’ (IFD) College’s new award: the Matthew Gallagher Achievement Award. Matthew, who served as a college governor, assessor and verifier, had a unique ability to encourage and find something good in every student’s work. He was a master of inclusivity and vision. It is, therefore, appropriate that this […]

Climate emergency discussion for funeral directors

Message from the Environmental Stewardship Group A round table event for Funeral Directors to discuss the climate emergency, help to identify where the sector currently is positioned and to propose what needs to be done to meet the challenges of “net zero”. The event is being held by the Environmental Stewardship Group as part of […]

Prospective new member in Wales

SAIF has received an application from a prospective new member based in Conwy, Wales with branches in Gwynedd and Colwyn Bay,Please log onto the members area and visit the ‘membership pending’ page to see further details.

Nye Bevan and People’s NHS Day – 5th July 2021

Nominate your hero! 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 received our applause on a weekly basis. […]

Focus on Welsh members

Welsh members are warmly invited to the Wales online meeting at 6 pm on 16th March. Dane Marsh, who writes the funeral guidance for the Welsh Government, will be attending as well as SAIF’s National President Mark Porteous, Welsh representative on SAIF’s National Exec Committee Gemma O’Driscoll and SAIF CEO Terry Tennens. Book your places […]

Scam warning

SAIF has become aware of a scam whereby a person contacts a funeral business to buy a coffin to keep a body at home. They pay in advance for the coffin, but they ‘accidentally’ overpay the amount. The person then contacts the funeral business to ask for a refund of the overpaid amount. Once the […]

FCA pre-paid plans review: join SAIF’s webinar 9th March

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) have published a Consultation paper which sets their draft rules and approach to regulation of pre-paid funeral plans. SAIF’s FCA Taskforce will be responding to the consultation on behalf of members, but you need to consider what FCA regulation will mean for your funeral business and what action you will […]

SAIF Scotland AGM

All Scottish SAIF members are warmly invited to the SAIF Scotland Annual General Meeting on Thursday 11th March. The meeting will take place online at 6 pm. Please register your place and joining instructions will be emailed to you.

Meet the FCA Head regulating funeral plans

What will new funeral plan regulations mean to your business? Join our webinar with host Terry Tennens and meet Richard Sutcliffe and Terry Denness from the FCA. They have responsibility for devising and implementing the new regulations at the FCA. They’ll be updating SAIF members on the way forward and taking questions from attendees. Make […]

Prospective new member in Gloucester

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

It’s better to talk!

There is currently a huge need for support for people with mental health issues and dealing with bereavement. SAIF would like to highlight resources available for those bereaved by suicide from The Support After Suicide Partnership. The partnership brings together suicide bereavement organisations and people with lived experience, to achieve a vision that everyone bereaved or […]

Beginner’s guide to SAIF Slack

The SAIF SLACK tool brings all relevant information to one place. You can find information specific to your region or by certain subjects such as Covid-19 Updates or Regulation News. Slack also lets you ask questions of highly experienced funeral professionals and contact SAIF members, all in one place. Declan Maguire has led the successful […]

Lake District Challenge for SAIF President’s charity

Roadmap for lifting of funeral restrictions

All restrictions placed upon funerals could be lifted on or after 21st June, according to HM Government’s Covid-19 Response – Spring 2021 document published on 22nd February. The paper outlines a four-step process which begins on 8th March, with the reopening of schools and outdoor exercise and recreation permitted. During this period, funerals will continue […]

ICO Renewals

If you receive a letter from the ICO regarding renewal, please respond as this is a genuine requirement, not a scam. The ICO are emailing companies six weeks before their fee expires. Every organisation or sole trader who processes personal information needs to pay a data protection fee to the ICO, unless they are exempt. […]

SAIF – a family of families in business

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. I find myself writing this article the day after my mother has died and at the end of what is undoubtedly the busiest day my business has ever had. I am both […]

Prospective new member in Leicestershire

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

Need a beginner’s guide to SAIF’s new communications tool?

Imagine being able to find answers to questions specific to your funeral business at the touch of a button. With SAIF’s new communications tool, SAIF SLACK, our members have recently found help with issues such as: Where can I buy FFP2 masks? How do I get my staff vaccinated against Covid-19? What can I do […]

Nominate a student for 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 […]

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 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.

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.

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Who deserves the Matthew Gallagher Achievement Award?

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.

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 […]

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 […]

SAIF Member Support Call 21st January

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.

Tell us once service

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 […]