SAIF Golden Charter

Progressive support

As the accelerated rate of change continues to reshape our profession, we have a choice – do we wait to see what comes or do we lead through positive stakeholder engagement, innovative thinking and progressive member support? 

SAIF chose the latter and has demonstrated this with the evolution of the Education Day series, communications, member support programmes and engagement with industry and Government stakeholders.  

The results of this approach can be seen through the positive engagement with the Scottish Government, the Code of Practice and what we hope it delivers from March 2025.  

The SAIF team – which includes the Scottish and National Executive, members of the subcommittees, the business centre and officers – works continuously to represent the best interests of more than 1,000 independently owned funeral service providers across the UK.  

I would like to acknowledge each and every member of the broader SAIF family for their commitment to serve for our members and the greater good of the profession.  

SAIF Scotland Education Day  

In mid-June, I was delighted to open the second SAIF Scotland Education Day. Members gathered in record numbers at Dunblane Hydro for an exceptional day of first-class speakers providing insight and education.  

The day began with an introduction to a new SAIF project, SAIF Wellbeing. Katie Stevenson introduced the first step in the programme, a podcast series with members of the profession discussing their mental health journeys. The Scottish Government spoke at length on upcoming regulation and offered additional information to help members plan changes to their businesses that will be required to gain a licence to practice from March 2025.  

We also heard from Golden Charter CEO Charlie Norman, SAIF Mortuaries Committee Chair Craig Caldwell, Karen Trickett on business planning and Joe Murren on the Regulation Readiness programme.  

I would like to express my thanks to our sponsors, Golden Charter, Golden Leaves, Obitus, Westerleigh Group, Ecclesiastical, Kenyon Mortuary Supplies and Funeral Manager, our fantastic speakers and our members for their positive engagement.  

A great loss  

Sadly, in late June, I joined fellow SAIF representatives at the funeral service for SAIF Past President and Fellow, Pat Gallagher MBIE F.SAIF. Pat’s contribution to our profession cannot be matched, with a long history of leadership in the foundation of SAIF, the Independent Funeral Directors’ (IFD) College and as President of the British Institute of Funeral Directors (BIFD). He will be sorely missed.  

Regional meetings  

This year our executive leading regional meetings will focus on local and broader issues, including changes to the medical examiners system. I would like to thank our executive and regional representatives for hosting these vital meetings as well as our members for the outstanding attendances and generosity to my nominated charity, My Name’5 Doddie.