IAFD News

Message from Dara Gillespie – President

As we left behind another difficult year, we wanted to extend our sincere thanks to all funeral directors for their cooperation and understanding during a very challenging time for funerals in Ireland.

We face into a New Year with renewed hope for better things to come and the Board of IAFD will continue to work on behalf of our members to deliver the level of quality and professionalism which is enshrined in the IAFD.

Wishing you a happy, safe and healthy 2022.

Annual General Meeting 2021

Our AGM was held on November 20th in the Rochestown Park Hotel, Cork. The Board made a very difficult and regrettable decision to cancel the dinner dance this decision was very much mindfully made for the safety of all our members following continuous review of the increasing number of Covid infections along with the restrictions at that time.

Pictured left to right - Back row - Dermot McCarthy, Niall Mulligan - Hon. Treasurer, Kylie Gourley, Fintan Cooney - Membership Officer, Niamh Sweeney - Education Officer, Keith Greaney - Hon. Secretary, Tom Lawless - 1st Vice President. Front row – Dara Gillespie - Incoming President, Donal Forde - Outgoing President, Robert Fanagan - Immediate Past President

IAFD News

For health reasons Edwina Fitzgerald and Robert Fanagan resigned from the Board. Mary Cunniffe and Dermot McCarthy also retired from the Board. However, Mary Cunniffe, having completed four consecutive terms, stood for election for an additional term and was elected.

The Board thank Edwina, Robert and Dermot for their commitment and dedication over the last number of years and wish Robert and Edwina a speedy return to good health.

John Mark Griffin, John Griffin & Son, Limerick and Peter Maguire, Massey Bros. Dublin were also elected to the Board.

During the AGM certificates were presented to some of the students who had completed Funeral Directing Certificate Award (FDCA)

Rosemary and Clodagh Gabriel receiving their certificates

Susan Cox receiving her certificate from Donal Forde and Niamh Sweeney Ricky O’Neill receiving his certificate from Donal Forde and Niamh Sweeney

IAFD News

Mediahuis had kindly supplied concert tickets to be auctioned at the Dinner Dance and very generously suggested we auction them at the AGM when the dinner was cancelled due to pandemic. We were delighted to raise €1850 for https://dogsfordisabled.ie/ and thank all those who attended for their generosity.

Appointment of new Board Members

Peter Maguire

Peter is a third generation funeral director with Massey Bros., with a keen interest in establishing and maintaining high standards in the industry. He lives in Dublin with his wife and two young children and is looking forward to working with his IAFD colleagues to improve funeral services nationwide.

IAFD News

John Mark Griffin

John-Mark is Managing Director of Griffin Funerals, a six generation family business, established in 1860, based in Limerick, where he lives with his young family. He has a MA in Business Management and a keen attention to detail. He believes in finding the best way to guide families through a difficult time. He hopes to offer support, help develop the industry, and learn from other colleagues and board members of the IAFD.

Benefits of joining Irish Association of Funeral Directors

• Membership of a professional organisation recognised by the general public • Board of funeral professionals available to assist members • Funeral director led organisation for promoting and developing standards of funeral service including a Code of Practice for all

Members • Representation of Members with Government, local authorities and media • Unique all island network of funeral directors • Professional Indemnity Insurance included as part of Membership fees • Dispute resolution and Mediation -including legal advisory service • Access to IAFD education programme • Links to other trade associations

IAFD Contacts

Dara Gillespie (President) Finlays Funeral Service

Tierney Street Ardee, Co. Louth Mobile: 086 7923472 Email: dara.gillespie@finlaygrp.com

Tom Lawless (First Vice President) Lawless Funeral Directors

Mucklagh, Tullamore, Co. Offaly Ph: 057 9322622 Email: info@tullamorefunerals.ie

Donal Forde (Immediate Past President) Forde & Sons Funeral Home

South Gate Bridge Cork, Co. Cork Ph: 021 4318222 Email: fordes@indigo.ie

Keith Greaney (Hon. Secretary) Conneely Funeral Directors

Flood Street Galway 091 562866 keithgreaney@gmail.com

Niall Mulligan (Hon. Treasurer) Heffernan’s Funeral Directors

Trim, Co. Meath Mobile: 086 8208501 Ph: 046 9438662 Email: heffernansfd@gmail.com

Mary Cunniffe (PRO) Massey Bros Funeral Home

Templeogue Village Dublin 6W Mobile: 085 8010742 Ph: 01 4907601 Email: mary.cunniffe@hotmail.com

Fintan Cooney (Membership Officer) Fanagans

54 Aungier Street Dublin 2 Ph: 01 4167700 Email: fintanjen@gmail.com

Niamh Sweeney (Education Officer) John Sweeney and Sons

Fairgreen Arklow Co Wicklow Ph: 0402 32333 Email: niamh@johnsweeneyandsons.ie

Kylie Gourley Funeral Partners Northern Ireland

300 Newtownards Road Belfast BT4 1HF Ph: 028 9045 1021 Email: kylie.gourley@funeralpartners.com

John Mark Griffin Griffin Funerals

John’s Gate Pennywell Limerick Ph: 061 415000 Email: johnmark@griffinfunerals.com

Peter Maguire Massey Bros

Crumlin Road, Dublin Ph: 01 4541666 Email: peter@masseybros.com

Frank Campbell at his Desk

Funereal Soft Furnishings Ltd, are a family run business since 1942. We supply funeral directors and coffin manufacturers with coffin interiors, shrouds, coffin pads and consumable products. Our company has been in operation for over 70 years. The company started as Shroud Manufacturers, part of W L Doggart & Sons, Undertakers Merchants on 26 February 1942. The factory was based at 7 James Street South, Belfast. Frank Campbell, joined the company in April 1951 and went on to be Managing Director in the company until his retirement in 2001. Franks son Mark who joined the business in 1991 now owns and runs Funereal Soft Furnishings.

BLACK FACE MASKS NOW AVAILABLE • ALSO DISPOSABLE SHEETS

Double elasticated frill with broad lace Coffin pad with gold cross comes with strings or elastic. Available in a range of colours

19” White Satin elasticated frill shown with broad white/gold lace, narrow lace also available Zip Adult Body Bag

• Colour - White • Material 0.15mm (#007Emboss) PEVA – Environmentally friendly, chlorine free & ideal for cremation.1cm Heat seal stripes on 4 sides to prevent leaking. 2 Clear document pockets.

Tel: 028 9024 0270 53 Little Donegal Street, Belfast, County Antrim BT1 2JD www.funerealsoftfurnishings.com

Funeral Partners begins the year by investing in facilities to support local communities

Funeral Partners’ Northern Ireland businesses began 2022 with their local communities in mind, with a £20,000 refurbishment in Donaghadee and a photography competition in County Antrim being two of the initiatives designed to support local families.

Investment in client comfort and accessibility

Shields of Donaghadee Funeral Directors is delighted to offer families a brand-new chapel of rest, additional arranging room and improved facilities after a £20,000 investment by Funeral Partners.

The upgrades have made the funeral home more accessible and appealing to local families, who were quick to share their positive feedback with the Shields of Donaghadee team.

Funeral Arranger and Administrator Terrie Mallon said: “We and Funeral Partners wanted to use the £20,000 to benefit local families.

“People have commented on the funeral home feeling bright, modern and uplifting which has been great to hear.”

Funeral Partners planned on investing in refurbishment after acquiring Shields of

Inside the revamped Shields of Donaghadee Funeral Directors Terrie Mallon outside the recently renovated Shields of Donaghadee Funeral Directors

Donaghadee at the end of 2019. However, the logistical challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic meant works couldn’t proceed until late 2021.

The small town of Donaghadee was excited to visit the funeral directors again after it reopened in January, complete with extended ceilings, modern decorations and a new heating system.

Terrie said: “Hearing local families ask questions about what we’re doing and when we’re reopening makes us appreciate being part of such a lovely community.”

Staying connected through photography

To connect with Northern Irish communities while maintaining safe social distancing, Mulhollands Funeral Directors asked people to send in pictures of wildlife, nature and the environment to be in with the chance of winning £200-worth of photography equipment.

Mulhollands’ initiative marks the second photography competition run by a Funeral Partners funeral home in Northern Ireland, with James Brown & Sons Funeral Directors in Belfast and John Gray & Co. Funeral Directors in Bangor, Newtownards and Holywood hosting a successful contest in November.

Regional Development Director Julian Hodgkinson and Peter Mulholland, Business Consultant at Mulhollands Funeral Directors, received

a number of stunning submissions across Northern Ireland to judge, from Portaferry to Ballintoy. They decided to award first place to Clive Harbinson, owner of Carrickfergus Street Photography, for his shot of the river running under a bridge in Tullymore Forest Park. Clive said: “I went to the park to take a series of photos for Carrickfergus Street Photography and a strong wind suddenly picked up, swirling leaves all around the river. “I set the camera’s exposure delay to 20 seconds which created a beautiful ripple effect of the leaves racing across the surface.” Mulhollands Funeral Directors awarded Clive a £200 photography voucher for the winning shot, which he plans to spend on new camera filters. He explained: “Various filters can help smooth out and enhance scenery which, as a primarily landscape photographer, will help me secure more shots like this one.” Clive concluded with some advice for the runners-up: “Make sure you always bring the right equipment for the right shot. There’s nothing worse than being unprepared when the scenery suddenly aligns for a great photo.” Carrickfergus Street Photography can be found on Facebook and Instagram. Beverley Brown, Marketing Manager at Funeral To keep up to date with Mulhollands Partners with competition winner Clive Harbinson Funeral Directors’ latest community and Business Consultant of Mulhollands Funeral activities, visit www. mulhollandsfuneral Directors Peter Mulholland directors.com and follow them on Facebook.

Clive Harbinson’s winning shot

Thinking about selling your business?

Funeral Partners is interested in further expansion in Northern Ireland and would be happy to have an informal and confidential chat with any Funeral Directors who are considering selling their businesses. Contact Chief Executive Officer Sam Kershaw directly on 07834 531822 or email: sam.kershaw@funeralpartners.co.uk, or get in touch with Acquisition & Mergers Director Steve Wilkinson on 07528 970 531 or email: steve.wilkinson@funeralpartners.co.uk. www.funeralpartnersnorthernireland.com