Blog & Views

If you want clear and simple advice about arranging a funeral, funeraladvice.org is a very good place to start. It's a no-nonsense platform we've developed to help families better understand funerals.

A date for your diary: if you're a SAIF member and are based in the Essex area, we'd love to see you at our regional meeting on September 18, where we'll update you on important work covering the CMA, regulation and medical examiners to name but a few topics.

An increasing number of SAIF members are putting their prices online to help families better understand their funeral options. If you're an independent funeral director and are yet to embrace digital pricing, we strongly encourage you to make this a priority.

Our Chief Executive Terry Tennens spoke to Emma Barnett on BBC Radio 5 live today about proposals for a ratings system for funeral directors. Important points were made about the need for online pricing and comparable pricing formats to help bereaved people. Listen again from 2hrs 22.

Myths such as ashes not being genuine are dispelled in this great article by SAIF member A H Freemantle Ltd. Read more here: https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/the-ashes-aren-t-genuine-and-other-myths-dispelled-by-a-h-freemantle-funeral-directors-1-9010289

As an independent funeral director, are you up-to-speed on the Children's Funeral Fund? If not, please read the guidelines here. https://saif.org.uk/2019/07/guidelines-for-the-children-funeral-fund/

Holiday season is well & truly upon us but are you prepared if the unthinkable happens whilst abroad & where would you turn? SAIF members are well-placed to provide advice and guidance on this issue & further information can be found here - http://ow.ly/qS4o50vcwYW

Independent funeral directors, it's important to ensure your funeral arrangers are equipped to provide the best care to bereaved parents. Please consider this course for your staff. https://saif.org.uk/events/ifd-college-arranging-infant-child-funerals-course-in-anstey-leicester-tuesday-10th-september-2019/

This tragic story highlights the need for more bereavement support. We encourage all our members to sign up to SAIF Care, to give families access to free bereavement counselling and advice.

More and more independent funeral directors are offering vital free bereavement counselling through SAIF Care. If you're a SAIF member and would like to get involved with this initiative please call the SAIF Business Centre on 0345 230 6777.

Many funeral directors are reporting an increase in families asking for direct cremations. It's important that people know exactly what they include and don't. This helpful blog explains.

Very welcome news from the Government on the Funeral Expenses Payment. Speeding up the claim process is a positive step in the right direction and will be appreciated by families.

Dr Jason Shannon has been appointed to the role of Lead Medical Examiner for Wales. Dr Shannon will oversee the Wales Medical Examiner Service that will scrutinise all deaths across a local area that do not fall under a Coroner’s jurisdiction.

Living funerals are becoming a thing. If you're an independent funeral director and have been asked to organise one, please let us know.

Independent funeral directors do amazing things for their community. Just like SAIF member Binder & Sons, Independent Family Funeral Directors in Harold Hill which is offering its shopfront as a safe space for young people should they find themselves in need of a refuge.

Have you seen FuneralAdvice.org yet? Great to see SAIF Past President and independent funeral director Gemma O'Driscoll of GE O'Driscoll and Daughters Independent Funeral Directors talking about why we've set up this helpful new website.

Calling all SAIF members! Please do support our annual charity challenge which this year is in aid of Breast Cancer Care, SAIF President Jim Auld's chosen charity. Our intrepid fundraisers will be taking part in the July 13/14 Peak District Challenge 2019, in which 3,000 people cover a combined 100,000km in 24 hours. https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/saifpeak2019

Congratulations to W Sherry & Sons for raising such a fantastic amount of money for the Shooting Star Children’s Hospices. It's brilliant to see strong partnerships between our profession and the third sector. https://www.funeralservicetimes.co.uk/news/charity/2019/06/20/w-sherry-and-sons-raise-3000-for-local-hospice/

Great session on how regulation of the funeral profession could affect independent businesses by our Chief Executive, Terry Tennens, at the Cremation & Burial Communication & Education 2019 conference today. We've blogged about the points he covered here. https://saif.org.uk/2019/07/saif-chief-executive-offers-insights-on-future-of-profession

Our Chief Executive Terry Tennens will be talking about regulation of the funeral profession tomorrow at the Cremation & Burial Communication & Education conference in Southampton. http://cbce.org.uk/2019/papers-speakers#Terry