SAIF Golden Charter

Looking back on a year of challenges and achievements

When I became SAIF President in March last year, the priority for me, and the headline of my first article, was to champion the role of the independent funeral director. By this I meant that I would make every effort to emphasise to all who would listen the qualities of service that can only be offered by being independent.

Being in a position to make decisions without hesitation or reference to senior management elsewhere can prove to be the difference between a funeral which runs smoothly and a complete disaster.

I am pleased to say that this is still the case and I see it as of vital importance that we continue to make decisions based on our own judgements of high standards and quality. We see in our daily work lives the difficulty that can be caused by split families having differing opinions to each other. Subsequently, we find ourselves as mediators to ensure the smooth running of the funeral but also acting as peacemakers between the parties.

My concern is that, if we aren’t careful over the coming years, this is likely to spread beyond our dealings with families and into the dealings we have with businesses who don’t necessarily have the same agenda as we do as funeral directors. I can’t emphasise enough how strongly I feel that we need to stand up for what is the best policy for our own businesses and to not allow outside sources to dictate to us what decisions we should be making.

There are an ever-increasing number of businesses popping up with new schemes to “support” the role of the funeral director. Please ensure that you think very carefully about decisions you make which will have a long-term effect on your business. Many may well be of benefit, but equally there is a risk that they may be detrimental. I have come across very few businesses that have the same high moral standards of service, care and support that the vast majority of funeral directors possess.

As we move forward into another year, I feel that SAIF, as an organisation, is stronger than ever. We have a good relationship with government departments, and are increasing the promotional work with a new digital campaign of advertising outlining the reasons to use a SAIF member.

For the foreseeable future, I will be continuing to represent SAIF in Government liaison and PR, and with our CEO Terry Tennens now having been with us for a year, we have a very stable ship. The direction that we travel, however, is still down to you, the members. There is a constant requirement to evaluate the needs of our membership, and the best way to achieve this is through liaison with you. As you will be aware, there are regular regional meetings which I encourage you all to attend. Not only do these offer you updates on relevant and current matters, but they give you an opportunity to air your views and give feedback on local as well as national issues.

Looking back over the year, I have seen many excellent examples of why SAIF members are leading the way in their localities, both in terms of the service offered to the public and as being a hugely valued and integral part of the community. Some of the people and the premises I have visited have been very special indeed, and are a credit to themselves, and it’s been a privilege to represent them as President.

The final stretch is now ahead of me and I’m looking forward to my final acts, one of which includes cycling to the AGM in Harrogate from Berwick-upon-Tweed as a finale to my fundraising efforts for the charity MIND. This will be alongside Grant Porteous – who is standing in for his father Mark Porteous, Scottish SAIF President – Gary Staker, the incoming First Vice President, and David Fry and Lisa Platts from Clarke & Strong, all of whom, I’m advised, have been training hard. I’m thinking of going for a check-up on my own mind for accepting this challenge.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my role this year, and I hope that I have represented SAIF in an appropriate manner wherever I have been required to do so. It has been a great honour to have been your President and may I take this opportunity to offer Paul Bowley my very best wishes for his year when he takes over from me at the AGM.