Humanist funerals and memorials are non-religious ceremonies that focus on the person who has died, the life they led, and the relationships they forged. They are based on the humanist perspective that every life is valuable and unique.
A humanist funeral or memorial is the perfect option for families and friends
on the life of their loved ones – without religion. This can be especially important if the person who died was not religious.
A funeral can include time for silent This time is inclusive of people from all backgrounds and people with religious beliefs can take this opportunity to say a silent prayer, if they wish. funeral
Each funeral and memorial ceremony is tailored to the person who has died, and the wishes of the people who love them. We can help commemorate the person who has died with an upbeat celebration of life, instead of taking a more solemn tone.
Along standing, trusted presence in the community, Hugh Wade and Son Funeral Directors, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry recently unveiled the results of a major investment into their premises. The family made the decision with the families they serve at the heart of it, as in everything they do.
Proud of their status as a 7th generation family business, the firm decided that only through continued investment and development of their services and offerings they will stay ready and able to plan and deliver what their local community have come to expect, a personal service in a state-of-theart facility. The work has gone well and the firm are delighted to announce its roomsandfunctioningdisplayrooms,arrangementoffices,ofincludesThecompletion.renovationasuitesmartnewprivateamemorialarea,amortuary,fiveprivatefamilywherebereaved
Hugh Wade, Christopher Wade, Charlene Wade and Alison Wade keep the business running smoothly
family and friends may be afforded privacy in visiting their loved ones before a funeral service. Alison Wade spoke of the number of compliments they are thrilled to have received thus far from families and visitors who have been amongst the first to experience the new Inpremises.addition to this, the family have also installed a high quality live streaming service in the funeral church, enabling those restricted from attending a service due to health, geography or any other reason, to pay their respects and say their final Thegoodbyes.Funeral Church itself provides seating for 100 persons and features an overflow area for an additional 40 with TV screens displaying the ongoing service.
As Hugh Wade and Son continue to invest in the future, both of the business and in to their community and those they proudly serve, they have held firm in their commitment to retain the core values and principles that has seen them establish themselves as a mainstay in the Wecommunity.wouldlike to wish the family all the very best for the future with their venture.
The new look Funeral Church
The family meeting room
Wades Funeral Directors, Coleraine
Funeral Times would like to offer a huge congratulations to Niamh Cusack, BIE Irish Chairperson and her partner Stephen on the birth of their baby, Finn, who was born on 11th February 2022. Having come out of a quiet few years, the next few should liven things up!
Thomas Bourke, Éamonn Grey and Jordan Lewis outside Grey’s Funeral Home, Templemore with their stunning new E Class hearse from Quinn’s
Six worthy projects that improve the quality of life for local residents and the wider community have been given a boost from a new fund established by James Brown & Sons Funeral Directors in Belfast.
The new community fund has been set up to provide practical assistance to grassroots projects that make a real difference to people in the local area. All recipients of the fund represent communities within a three-mile radius of James Brown & Sons, located on Belfast’s Knockbreda Road, Lisburn Road and Newtownards Road, and Dundonald, Dunmurry and Whiteabbey.
The first six successful applicants to be awarded a share of the £20k fund were invited to a special presentation hosted by James Brown & CongratulatingSons. the fund recipients, James Brown, said: “We are really pleased to be able to help our local community by providing financial support for these groups.
“It gives me great pleasure to recognise these wonderful organisations in their work and I wish them well in achieving the aims of their very worthwhile projects. I look forward to seeing how the funding is put to good use over the coming weeks and months.”
The fund will be distributed in three cycles throughout 2022 with grants of between £300 and £1,500 being awarded to a maximum of £6,666 in each cycle. The deadline for applications to the next James Brown & Sons Community Fund is 17 October 2022 at 12 noon.
Applicants must demonstrate how they improve the quality of life for local residents and the wider community. Projects applying for the fund should apply by email in no more than 500 words aligning to James Brown & Sons’ funding focus areas: Health, Education, Employment Opportunities and Poverty/Social Deprivation.
For further information and to apply to the fund, please visit com.jamesbrowncommunityfund@funeralpartners.brown-sons-community-fund/jamesbrownfuneraldirectors.com/james-www.oremail
Follow James Brown & Sons on Facebook www.facebook.com/JamesBrownandSonsFD.at
Building Bridges Community Boxing Club, located in north Belfast, was awarded funding to purchase equipment for its ‘Making A Difference’ project, an eight-week fitness programme aimed at improving the physical health and wellbeing of its participants.
L to R Julian Hodgkinson, Funeral Partners, Rosie Bradley, Building Bridges Community Boxing Club, Emma Moore, Funeral PartnersLocated in south Belfast, Rainbow Alley was awarded funding for garden benches to be situated in a community garden, an initiative which neighbours of Reid Street started during lockdown.
The Olive Branch, located in east Belfast, was awarded funding for equipment associated with a poverty and social deprivation project. Alongside providing refreshments, this will provide a space for friendships to be formed and where people find support relating to their specific needs.
The other three projects that were supported by the first round of the community fund are:
• The East Belfast Mission received funding for an event to celebrate education and success while promoting increased community engagement for the future.
• Nettlefield multi-sports received funding for its ‘Books to Boots’ programme, incorporating sporting sessions with education to help foster good relations locally and encourage parents to get involved in their children’s education.
• The EastSide Partnership Scaffolding Project received funding for its uniform scheme that provides vouchers for families in need of assistance with purchasing school uniforms for secondary school-aged children.
Long-established Belfast business James Brown and Sons Funeral Directors has opened a new funeral home in Newtownabbey to extend its personal service to a wider community.
The new funeral home was officially opened by Alderman Stephen Ross, Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey and brings the number of funeral homes run by James Brown and Sons to seven. James Brown gave a short speech at the
opening ceremony which included the history of the business.
Julian Hodgkinson, Regional Development Director (Northern Ireland) for Funeral Partners said: “James Brown and Sons have been serving the people of Belfast and surrounding areas for nearly 120 years. This new funeral home in Newtownabbey demonstrates how Funeral Partners are continuing to invest in the business by providing a high-quality service to Belfast
James Brown, right, meets members of the team at Rainbow Alley L to R Julian Hodgkinson, Funeral Partners, Emma Moore, Funeral Partners, Rev Sammy Robinson, The Olive Branch, Andrew Neale, James Brown & Sons
The funeral arranger at the Newtownabbey funeral home is Claire McIlroy, who has more than four years’ experience of working in funeral services. She said: “We look forward to providing local people with a personal service that includes advice and support when planning a funeral. The facilities at the new funeral home include two rest rooms where families can visit their loved one in a private and peaceful environment.”Thefuneralhome is situated in newly renovated premises - Unit 3, Beverley shopping centre, Carnmoney, Newtownabbey, BT36 6QD. It can be contacted on 02890 023223 (office hours and out of hours) or parkingfuneralpartners.comjamesbrown.newtownabbey@email.Freecarisavailable.
Follow James Brown and Sons on Facebook: JamesBrownandSonsFDwww.facebook.com/https://
Alderman Stephen Ross, Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey with James Brown and surrounding communities in north Belfast.”
Funeral Partners is the UK’s third largest funeral business, with more than 230 funeral homes staffed by over 1000 dedicated funeral professionals serving communities across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Chief Executive Sam Kershaw has over 40 years’ experience in the funeral profession, joining the business back in 2016 as Chief Operating Officer. Funeral Partners, celebrating its 15-year anniversary in 2022, has grown rapidly, building a strong reputation as a well-run, high-quality funeral services business overseeing more than 25,000 funerals each year.
It now includes more than 125 family businesses, which have entrusted their reputation and heritage to Funeral Partners.
Contact: For more information about Funeral Partners visit: www.funeralpartners.co.uk or corporate.funeralpartners.co.uk
Niall Mulligan, joined the already well established family firm of Heffernans Funeral Directors, Trim Co. Meath in 1999, following on from his marriage to Celene Heffernan. Heffernans was established by Aidan Heffernan in 1985 who already had a well established Auctioneering Business, Royal Auctioneers now Sherry Fitzgerald Royal.
Niall ‘s studies began with the Franciscan Community in Gormanston College and followed on with the Salesian Community in Warrenstown Agricultural College where he was Student of the year in 1989. For 10 years, he ran a successful dairy and beef farm, but always open to new possibilities, he ventured into a career change and has never looked back. In 2019 Heffernans opened a second funeral home
in Longwood, Co. Meath, expanding their service and commitment to the people of Meath. Niall joined the board of the IAFD with likeminded people, who strive to continuously improve and enhance the standard of care to all our client families.
Kylie has worked in the funeral profession for over six years, both for Co-op Funeralcare and latterly Funeral Partners based at James Brown & Sons, Belfast. Her positions include Diary Manager, Estate Planning Lead and currently Operations Manager. Born and bred in East Belfast, James Brown & Sons was her family’s local funeral director, and she was very honoured to join the business in 2016.
She also says she feels privileged to represent Northern Ireland within the Irish Association of FuneralOutsideDirectors.ofbusiness
hours Kylie like to keep fit, travel and spend time with her family.
The I.A.F.D. Funeral Directing Certificate Award 2022 is due to commence in late September 2022.This course, exclusively available to I.A.F.D. members, has been most successful in improving and enhancing the service that I.A.F.D. members bestow on their clients as well as providing the knowledge and skills required to operate a more efficient business all within a safe and positive working environment. the for
Unit 2: Arranging and Managing Funerals Unit 3: Health & Safety at Work (Funeral specific)
Candidates who are interested in taking part are advised to email: education@iafd. ie or to contact Niamh Sweeney, Education Co-ordinator on +353 87 8557349
Following concerns raised by a number of Members in the Dublin area relating to delays in the release of human remains from Dublin City Mortuary and St Vincent’s University Hospital (SVUH), IAFD have been in correspondence with the CEO of SVUH and the Dublin District Coroner, Dr Myra Cullinane. A meeting with Dr Myra Cullinane has been sought.
IAFD have been working intensively with Meany Management Systems since March to develop the new Excellence Audit for introduction this year. The Board are eager to share the
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
Niall Mulligan (Second Vice President and Hon. Heffernan’sTreasurer)Funeral Directors
Trim, Co. Meath
Mobile: 086 8208501
Ph: 046 9438662
Email: heffernansfd@gmail.com
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 keithgreaney@gmail.com091GalwayStreet562866
Mary Cunniffe (PRO)
Massey Bros Funeral Home Templeogue Village
Dublin Mobile:6W085 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
Email:Ph:CoArklowFairgreenWicklow040232333niamh@johnsweeneyandsons.ie
Kylie FuneralGourleyPartners
Northern Ireland
300 Newtownards Road Ph:BT4Belfast1HF028 9045 1021
Email: kylie.gourley@funeralpartners.com
John Mark Griffin Griffin Funerals John’s Gate Pennywell
Email:Ph:Limerick061415000johnmark@griffinfunerals.com
Peter MasseyMaguireBros
Crumlin Road, Dublin
Ph: 01 4541666
Email: peter@masseybros.com
slower journeys, the 1.4 kWh electric motor takes over normally lost when braking, the Ford hybrid range of Our Ford hybrid range o ers an exceptional combination of petrol engine, electric motor, lithium-ion batter y and next generation vehicle technology.
Leading local health charity Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke recently launched a new blood pressure campaign to raise awareness of what is often known as The Silent Killer. The campaign is encouraging people to get their blood pressure checked as high blood pressure rarely causes any physical symptoms and is often only discovered after someone suffers a stroke or heart attack. Detection and subsequent action are therefore vital, but do you know what you can do to look after your blood pressure?
Maintaining a healthy blood pressure will help reduce your risk of heart and circulatory disease. There are several changes you can make
to your lifestyle to reduce high blood pressure and to maintain a healthy blood pressure:
1. Reduce Salt Intake
Adults should eat no more than 6g of salt a day (approx. a teaspoonful). Read the labels on food packaging, choose foods lower in salt and try replacing salt with pepper, herbs and spices to add flavour.
2. Be More Active
Move more and sit less! Adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity physical activity each week. Two days of strengthening exercises should also be included.
Being overweight means your heart must work harder to do everyday tasks- this leads to high blood pressure. Maintaining a healthy weight involves a combination of eating a healthy diet and being more physically active.
Drinking too much alcohol increases the risk of high blood pressure and can cause weight gain. We should drink no more than 14 units of alcohol per week, with several alcohol-free days. Men should have no more than 8 units and women no more than 6 units of alcohol per session.
Fruit and vegetables contain vitamins and minerals, along with fibre which help to reduce the risk of high blood pressure and improve our heart health. We should aim for 5 portions a day which can be fresh, frozen, canned, dried or juiced.
You should also take medication for high blood pressure as prescribed by your doctor or health professional in addition to making changes to your lifestyle, unless your health professional is happy for you to stop your medication.
For information about NICHS and the care and prevention services we provide across Northern Ireland please visit nichs.org.uk
For more information on how to maintain a healthy blood pressure, visit nichs.org.uk/ information/risk-factors
Eric McCormack collects the latest addition to the fleet for Brian McElroy Funeral Directors, Dublin. The keys to the E350 E Class hearse with a host of extras were exchanged by Fearghas Quinn
Hi All,
I hope everyone is keeping well and enjoying this beautiful Summer we’re having! We have our next meeting coming up on the 9th October 2022 in via Zoom. Can’t wait to see everyone!Onbehalf of our division I would like to thank Bobby HopkinsHoggarth IMM Past President MBIE for her two amazing years as president thank you for all your guidance and assistance. We would also congratulate and welcome our new National President Richard D. Van Nes MBIE. I hope you enjoy your presidency year and can’t wait to meetKeeleyou.Educational
Weekend is on the 9th, 10th and 11th of September, I would like to encourage all our students and members to attend where possible. It’s weekends like this where you can broaden your network, make new friends, learn new techniques and have a ball!
On a final note, I would like to thank everybody that has been at the last few meetings and supported us. I
understand how difficult it is to get time away but it’s people like you that make my job easier and more enjoyable to organise these meetings for. Myself and our Secretary Jenny work hard to organise these meetings and appreciate the support we are getting. Thank you all again and see you at the next meeting!
BIE Irish Chairperson Niamh Cusack
Niamh Cusack MBIE Ballingowan West, Villierstown, Cappoquin, Co. Waterford.
Tel: 086 3744762
E: cusackembalmings@gmail.com
Vice Chairperson: Robert Fehily MBIE
Strand Carrigaline,Road,Co. Cork
Tel: 087 660919
E: robertfehily@gmail.com
Jennifer Tighe MBIE
St. Patrick Street, Boyle, Co. Roscommon
Tel: 086 8854333
E: Jennytighe30@yahoo.com
1st National Council Rep & National Educational Rep: Cyril Gantley MBIE 336 Kildare Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12 Mobile: 085 7671582
E: science.iecyril.gantley@mortuary-
Treasurer: John Hawe MBIE
12 Meadow Vale, Smith’s Road, Charleville, Co. Cork
Mobile: 087 6390087
E: jmhawe@eircom.net
Professional Standards Rep: Susan Moran
20 Cedarwood Park, Newbridge, Co. Mobile:Kildare086 0619500
E: science.iesusan.moran@mortuary-
NORTHERN IRELAND
Pat Harley, MBIE 67 Creggan Road, L’derry BT48 9DA
Tel: 07712 899137
E: pat.harley@hotmail.co.uk
Vice Chairman: Mrs N Taggart, MBIE
1st Educational Representative:Committee
Stephen Shields MBIE
James Brown & Sons 300 Newtownards Road, Tel:Belfast028 9045 1021
E: funeralpartners.comjamesbrown.belfast@
Mr Frank Harron MBIE
E:Tel:BT36NewtownabbeyCrescent,7WY07917220073nikkiknockaning@aol.com
11 Alderley
1st National Representative:Council
Laurence O’Neill MBIE
98 Stewartstown Road, Belfast BT11 9JP
Tel: 028 9062 0099
E: oneill8210@hotmail.com
2nd National Representative:Council Ellison Sloan MBIE Tel: 028 3833 6175
Treasurer: Andrew McMullan MBIE 22 High Co.BallymoneyStreet,AntrimBT53 6AQ
Tel: 028 2766 2265
E: comandrew@mcmullanfunerals.
Secretary: Liam Edwin Boyle, MBIE
4 Bradford Place
Tel:BT8Belfast7AW07713 575501
E: liamboyle15@hotmail.co.uk
Public Relations Offcer: Ciaran Bailie Tel. 07523 477852
27 Navan Court Armagh
National President: Richard D. Van Nes MBIE
Imm. Past President: Bobby Hopkins-Hoggarth MBIE
1st Vice President: Dianne Hughes
2nd Vice President: Mrs Rachel Shipley MBIE
National PRO & National General Secretary: Karen Caney FBIE White Meadow Cottage, Brailsford, Derby DE6 3DA Tel: 01335 361419 Mobile: 07786 432014
E: karencaney@btinternet.com
National Treasurer: Michael Liddle FBIE
10 Yew Tree Close, Silsoe MK45 4EQ
Business Tel: 01582 490005
Home Tel: 01525 860117
E: michael@silsloe.wanadoo.co.uk
Editor: Gwen Schofield FBIE
9 Seymour Walk, Meltham, Holmfirth HD9 4BP
Home Tel: 01484 851994
Mobile: 07778 279100
E: gwen.schofield@ntlworld.co.uk
Master Fellow: David Kaye FBIE
Student Liaison Officer: David Coster MBIE
For everyone who works in or has contact with funeral services, it is easy, albeit unintended, to take an awful lot for granted. When you’re dealing with funeral planning, even when working with the bereaved, it’s easy to assume a great deal and to proceed as if everyone’s on the same page. But for many people who come to us at the time of a loved one’s death, we have to remember that it’s the first time they’ve found themselves in this situation, having to plan a funeral while also dealing with their own grief.
This applies to everyone involved with the funeral, but most especially to those who will be in the most direct contact with the next of kin. Funeral directors, clergy and celebrants especially will be guiding people through uncharted waters and what we do on a daily basis may seem unusual or unexpected to them. The pastoral side to our work leaves as much of an impression on them as anything else we do. The bereaved family and friends want those they have chosen to look after their needs to be professional, but equally to display a compassionate humanity. The guiding hand from us must be a gentle one and while we may have been involved with countless funerals, the one we are involved with now is unique, because
the person who has died is unique, and so is the grief of their loved ones. While it helps us at times to have a professional detachment from the emotional weight of the loss, if we deal with it purely with a business mind, then we fail at what I see as one of the guiding principles of funeral work: looking after the deceased as if they were one of our own. Working as a celebrant for almost 30 years, I have heard from families who have had both positive and negative experiences with funeral directors, mostly around the way they were treated and the understanding and compassion shown to them. It should be very easy to place ourselves in their shoes, to empathise with them, perhaps even to think of how we ourselves were treated at the time of our own loss. This has to be our yardstick. It is something that will come to all of us, if it hasn’t already. But for those who have experienced their first significant loss, who are trying to find their way through the storm of emotion they’ve been plunged into, we can be
Mark Carpenter of Carpenter Bros Funeral Home, Carlow collects his new 5 Door Hearse from Fearghas at Quinn Hearse and Limousine
Eimer Duffy is a Social Media Consultant and Trainer at FIT Social Media. Through bespoke solutions, Eimer helps Funeral Professionals gain a better online presence, build communities and trust online with zero stress and hassle in a short space of time. She also co-hosts the only social media for business radio show in Ireland called “The Let’s Get Social Show” every Friday at 2pm on Dublin South FM and the show is on podcast too. Check out www. fitsocialmedia.ie to learn more.
In the last edition of The Funeral Times I was getting ready to attend The National Association of Funeral Directors upcoming exhibition and conference: NFE2022 which ran over three days from Friday 10 June to Sunday 12 June 2022 in the “NAEC” National Agricultural and Exhibition Centre, Stoneleigh Park. I was really looking forward to exhibiting and speaking at it and #NFE2022 did not disappoint!
From the moment I arrived until I flew home, the whole experience was amazing. Everyone I met were so friendly and enthusiastic to be there. The atmosphere was a buzz, I was in Hall 1 on Stand 36, and when the doors opened it was all go! I had lots of interesting conversations with people at my exhibition stand wanting to know more about how they can make the most of their online presence with questions covering things such as; Google, websites and social media, digital marketing etc…
When it came to talking about Google I was asked about ways to get found faster and rank higher on Google. I was told by quite a few visitors that they were starting to see that more and more people are now doing their research online regarding funerals, especially pre-planning. I informed them that apart from a website, that signing up and using the amazing free business platform that Google wants all businesses to use called “Google Business
Profile” and having active social channels (social media ranks on Google) would be the things to focus on to help with getting found faster and ranking higher on Google.
It was great to hear that websites were being updated and that quite a few of the Funeral professionals I met were saying they were starting to write blogs to answer questions they had been asked about things such as preplanning funerals. If you haven’t thought about writing a blog I would, as no doubt you have frequently asked questions and they would be great additions to your website; which would
Eimer Duffy on her stand at the NFE
keep people longer on your website and encourage them to look at other pages.
Many did not know about Google Business Profiles and were interested in finding out more. It’s a great platform and can be easily updated on desktop and via your mobile phone using Google Maps. It helps your audience to gain more insight into your Funeral business services, updates, photos/videos etc… and where families who you have served and cared for leave their feedback as a Google Review.
You even get data to review and update reports from Google on who has viewed your photos etc….And
lots of questions about social media too!
With interest in what channels to be on and how to make the most of them. Many were saying they are on Facebook and starting to look at other channels such as Instagram and LinkedIn. At the end of the day, people are using social media to do their research and look at what is being posted and engage with. So it is important to be social and on the right channels. It is not just families who will search on social media, but also potential employees. This was one of the areas I was highlighting in my presentation “How Social Media Can Help Grow Your Funeral Business” which I did in The Lecture Hall.
I was honoured to be asked to talk about how social media and digital marketing can make a difference and help with being online as a Funeral business. I was delighted to talk about social media, the benefits, having goals such as pre-needs, building relationships, content and more.Igot the opportunity to share some inputs from two experts in Funeral service.
Funeral professionals eagerly await to hear the presentation
Morty Stein recorded a video for the presentation on why being on social media is so important (he uses TikTok as one of his platforms @funeralhomeconfessions and has a following of nearly 200k - do check him out) he answers questions and is very engaging. It was great to share with the audience. The other contribution was from David Speaks and he is known as “The Funeral Guy” @ thefuneralguyspeaks on various social channels, and he leads the way when it comes to pairing Funeral professionals’ and funeral homes, and using the power of social media to attract. David provided an amazing quote regarding social media and your future “Superstar” employee.Afterwards
I got some lovely feedback and I received one comment in particular from a member of the audience that the angle of attracting employees using social media was something they hadn’t thought of doing before and would be
looking into doing. I was glad that what I shared was helpful and interesting. And again I would like to say, do check out David Speaks as he has some great resources on his website: www. funeralguyspeaks.com. All in all…
It was my first time to exhibit at the National Funeral Exhibition and it was great to meet and connect with so many lovely people and discuss being online. I wish to thank Jane Lawerence, the NAFD Events Operations Manager, for inviting me to be a speaker at NFE2022, it was an experience which I will always remember. The NAFD were so welcoming at the event, and I am delighted to share that I have been accepted as an International Supplier for the NAFD and I look forward to connecting with Members and otherAgainSuppliers.NFE2022 was great, roll on NFE2024! And #NFE2024 is the event hashtag!
Frank Brown take the keys to his new E Class Limousine from Patrick Quinn at Quinn Hearse and Limousine’s showroom in County Antrim
• The Coffin Square™ hailed by some as the best invention within the Funeral Industry in over a decade!
• Never have a cross, breastplate or religious emblem crooked again.
• Pinpoint accuracy, perfectly square and symmetrical – every time.
• In simple terms as long as the number increments match left and right both on the bottom of “The Coffin Square™ and same on the top – you have achieved perfection.
• Save time at a critical point in preparing a funeral.
• One-time purchase – long-life product if looked after – competitively priced.
The Coffin SquareTM doesn’t just aim for perfection, it delivers it – every single time!
The Coffin Square™ is set to be the go-to device in every coffin room, get yours today at the early bird price of €95.00 (S. Ireland) or £85.00 (N. Ireland) £95.00 (U.K) delivered to your door.
A simple measuring device to assist the funeral director to accurately place items such as a cross, breastplate, or other adorning emblems upon the awkward shape of a coffin/casket lid.
The Coffin Square™ is a 2D, square-shaped measuring aid with four-sided calibration to allow equidistant symmetry from both sides of the coffin/casket lid to accurately pinpoint the exact location of the various adornments to the lid centrally and squarely.
wide variety of backgrounds for the nameplate. They can type any writing they want onto the plate. Once they’re happy with the design on the computer they can simply click print. After printing, they place the image over one of the patented plates. The rest is done with the Plate Pal press. Here the ink is pressed into the plate. The result is an impressive, flawless and vibrant name plate with any background, font and photograph that you could imagine!
The result is long lasting, UV and water resistant. Plate Pal Plates look beautiful on grave markers. It allows the family to create that
It’s 4:30 PM and you’re on call tonight. Murphy’s Law kicks in and your phone rings… first call at the local hospital. You call the next-of-kin and determine what type of services the family wants for their loved one and you cover what they need to bring in, set a time to get together, and obtain permission to embalm, like you’ve done hundreds of times before. You hop into the van and make your way to the hospital for the removal and in the back of your head you’re calculating a mental time frame of how long the removal and embalming will take, to determine if you’re going to make it home in time for dinner.You’ve arrived at the hospital, reached the morgue with the security guard, and before transferring the deceased individual to your cot, you open the pouch and confirm identification on the toe tag or wrist tag. Quickly a red flag goes off in your head. The pigmentation of the deceased is a bit yellow so you might be dealing with a jaundice case. On your way back to the funeral home you’re brainstorming and trying to remember the proper procedures for embalming a jaundiced body because it’s been quite a while since you’ve had one come across your table.
I worked for a busy funeral home in St. Paul, MN for over 20 years as a funeral director, and jaundice cases were a bit more common then, just based on the sheer call volume that we did each year. As a Catholic funeral home, many of our cases were still traditional. Today, as the Dodge Representative for Minnesota and eastern North Dakota, the two most frequent embalming questions I get from clients are, “How do I embalm a donor case properly?,” and, “How do I best embalm a jaundice case?”
I encourage my clients to call me if they have questions. I’ve always felt that my position as their representative is to support them in any way I can. In this article I am going to share with you the ways I maximize my chances of properly preserving a jaundiced body while at the same time minimizing the chance of biliverdin (greenish pigmentation) appearing. We all know that jaundice cases pose certain challenges to the embalmer. Many times the jaundice color or bilirubin (yellowish pigmentation) is mild and in other cases it is extreme and easy to detect. If you’re not sure that the deceased is jaundiced, there are a couple of ways you can confirm your suspicions. Bilirubin will be evident in the sclera (the white opaque part of the eyeball) and typically found in the nail beds of the fingers, assuming they aren’t already discolored from livor mortis. In very rare occasions, you may not be able to determine for sure, so always err on the side of caution and treat the cases as a jaundice embalming scenario.
One of the things that seems to often go hand-in-hand with jaundice cases is edema. Edema is excess water in the tissue that can cause puffiness or a swollen appearance. We all learned in mortuary school that an easy way to detect edema is to make an impression in the skin with your finger or hand. If the impression stays, you’ve got edema present. Fortunately for us as embalmers, we have additive chemicals like Edemaco that will help draw out that excess water in the tissue during the embalming process. One of the things to be mindful of if you already have edema present is that you’re going to want to either greatly reduce the amount of water in your solution or
Lincoln is the Dodge Representative for Minnesota and Eastern North Dakota. He is a licensed funeral director in Minnesota and stays active in the preparation room helping clients on a regular basis.
Green with envy… said no one ever when embalming a jaundice case
eliminate it completely, and do a “waterless” or “no water added” embalming. You don’t want to amplify your problems by introducing more water into the body. Also, keep in mind that with edema present, you will have secondary dilution of the chemicals within the body because of the excess water already present requiring you to use more formaldehyde, or a stronger concentration, to properly preserve the deceased.Asyouare doing your pre-embalming analysis and determining your plan, part of that planning should be choosing the chemicals you will use to preserve the body. Jaundice cases have higher levels of ammonia present and there are some chemicals available that are less likely to react negatively to those heightened levels. Arterial chemicals like Jaundofiant Control and Jaundofiant Basic (use these products together ounce for ounce), Metasyn Normal, Metasyn Accelerated, and Freedom Art are all excellent options for embalming jaundiced bodies. As mentioned above, Jaundofiant Control and Jaundofiant Basic are designed to be used ounce for ounce. Jaundofiant Basic is the preservative (index 19.5) and Jaundofiant Control contains the dye and bleaching agents to maximize color and staining. It is up to the embalmer’s personal
preference, but you can add additional dye by using Inr-Tone or Icterine Regular. As with the use of any active dye in a solution, it is vitally important to mix the solution thoroughly in your tank before injecting, so you eliminate the chance of areas of heavy concentration of dye in your solution, thus causing a blotchy appearance.Afteryouhave positioned the body, set the features, raised the vessels, and are ready to inject, I strongly recommend that you do a pre-injection flush of the arterial system using Proflow or Metaflow along with some Rectifiant, water, and ½ oz. of Icterine Regular, making about 1½ gallons of total solution. Rectifiant is important in the mixture because it conditions the water and makes the pH of the solution where it needs to be to maximize the embalming results. When creating the preinjection mixture, the embalmer will need to determine if using water in the solution is beneficial. If edema is present, a better option would be to use Rectifiant as a replacement. Even more important, the addition of Edemaco to the solution is needed. The purpose of the preinjection is to flush out as much of the ammonia and bile pigmentation present in the body as possible, reducing the risk of
the potential color change from bilirubin to an even more undesirable biliverdin color. The pre-injection is a critical step in laying the foundation for successful embalming.
With any embalming that I would consider out of the “norm,” and with the fact that you are going to want to closely monitor coloring changes on a jaundice case, I strongly suggest doing a restricted cervical injection. Raising both common carotids will give you control of how much solution is going up into the head. As you are preparing your solution, givesome thought to what the best chemicals are to use on a jaundiced body. Arterial chemicals such as Jaundofiant Control and Jaundofiant Basic are specifically meant for jaundiced bodies and their chemical DNA is designed to maximize coloring and minimize the negative reaction with the ammonia, all while properly preserving the deceased. If you don’t have Jaundofiant, there are some other great options as well. As listed earlier, Metasyn Normal (20 index), Metasyn Accelerated (24 index), and Freedom Art (0 index) are all viable options when embalming a jaundice case.
When mixing your solution for arterial injection, I would suggest the following to make one gallon of solution (these are basic guidelines, so based on your specific case, you may need to adjust your mixture accordingly): 16 oz. Proflow, 16 oz. Rectifiant, 16 oz. Jaundofiant Control, 16 oz. Jaundofiant Basic, 16 oz. Edemaco (if edema is present) and 8 oz. Halt GX and water. Start the injection by injecting down the right common carotid. I’ve always been partial to high pressure with a low rate of flow, but I suggest you do what you feel most comfortable with. Because you are using a lower index chemical (Jaundofiant Basic has a 19.5 index), you will likely need to introduce a “kicker chemical” into your last gallon if you have the distention and coloring you want, but may not have achieved the tissue firming you desire. A great chemical to add would be Metasyn Accelerated. It will help you get additional tissue fixation which will make it easier to prepare the body for viewing later.
If you do not have the Jaundofiant chemicals available to you in your preparation room, Metasyn Normal or Metasyn Accelerated can be
used in their places in the previously mentioned mixture. One of the things that you will want to keep in mind is that the dye in Metasyn may not be sufficient to overcome severe jaundice, so you may want to add some Icterine Regular into your mixture to offset any potential green coloring. Freedom Art is a formaldehyde free arterial chemical that works beautifully on jaundice cases. There are two types of Freedom Art, one that has an active dye and one that does not. If you have available to you the one that doesn’t, you will need to add some Icterine to your mixture in order to get some coloring. Because Freedom Art does not contain formaldehyde (which makes it ideal for jaundice cases), there is no fixation of the tissues. Your embalming will solely be based on distention and color to determine where you are getting chemical to where you need it. Personally, I want some firming of the tissue to help make dressing and cosmetizing the deceased easier, so my recommendation would be to add some Metasyn into your solution, which will help achieve more firming.
Once you have achieved proper preservation of the deceased and you are satisfied with your results, you will want to aspirate and inject cavity chemical. There are a couple of mindsets when it comes to when cavity treatment should take place. Some feel that it should be done right away, while others feel you should wait for a period of time to let the arterial solution continue to diffuse into tissue from the remaining vascular pressure present from the embalming process. Whichever train of thought you follow, when you get to the point of cavity injection, the choice of chemical you choose will make a difference. Lower index cavity chemical will reduce your chances of getting biliverdin. Some great options are: Spectrum (index 5), Freedom Cav (index 0), Mylofix (index 10.5) or SynCav (index 5). These cavity chemicals contain low levels of formaldehyde but high levels of drying agent. They will adequately preserve the viscera with a relatively low risk of getting biliverdin. If you’ve ever had a jaundice case where it appears after a day or so that you have greening from the abdomen creeping up into the neck area, chances are a cavity chemical with a higher index was used. Therefore, lower index chemicals are suggested. If the deceased is in poor condition, you may need to resort
to a harder hitting cavity chemical like Dri Cav (index 21), Halt Cavity (index 21), Metafix (index 20.5), Permafix (index 22.5) or, as a last resort, PermaCav Fifty (index 50) to stabilize the deceased if things really aren’t going your way. These cavity chemicals should be used as a last resort, but at the end of the day, above all else you need to make sure the deceased is preserved adequately. Lack of proper preservation will open the door to all kinds of issues that will either make it much harder to prepare the deceased for viewing or, even worse, create an issue that will be immediately noticeable to the family.
Jaundice cases have been troubling embalmers for generations. What technique and which chemicals to use have always been a bit of a guessing game. Some embalmers treat jaundice cases as normal and cosmetically treat and neutralize with heavy cosmetics any biliverdin they end up with, while others try and minimize the color changes by using chemicals specific to, or more suitable, for jaundice. The good news is that embalming chemicals have come a long way over the years and there are several good options for the embalmer to use to properly preserve the deceased while at the same time minimizing the biliverdin coloring. At the end of the day, we all want the last viewing for the families we serve to be the best it can possibly be. With time, patience, and some know how, we can achieve this goal and feel a lot more comfortable next time we are called to prepare a jaundice case at our funeral home.
If you would like to be added to the mailing list for the complementary Dodge Magazine which is printed quarterly or would like to discuss any of the products mentioned in this article, please contact us on the number below:Shepherds
Funeral Supplies, Unit 2A Royal Canal Business Park, Athlone Road, Co. Longford. Ph. 00353 43 33 49702/00353 87 2486668
Whoever I’m working with on the design of a Funeral, you’ll hear me explain at some point about how the draft script is likely to look.
I prepare families for a piece of writing that will be sent to them, which at times can look odd! At various points, it will feel awkward to read. And I can guarantee that it would probably fail any academic, English language or grammar test. The reason is simple - My ceremonies are written to be ‘heard’, and not simply ‘read’, and I write them hearing myself saying the very words I put Whentogether.Iamdelivering a ceremony, the language, pace, tone, punctuation, and overall presentation carries just as much weight, if not more sometimes than the actual written content. Writing to be ‘heard’ is very different from writing pieces of work that are to be read and digested. When you’re writing to be heard, you’re writing for immediate impact! It’s about thinking through every single word you use. It’s a different skill set, and not everyone understands it.
In my work, I make use of language patterns.
I systematically hit all of the senses. I speak in colour, as well as in black and white. I draw from the past, as well as walk people into the future.
I talk ‘big picture’ along the detail and lots lots more. It all helps create a ceremony that’s engaging, captivating, and unforgettable. Your family’s ceremony is a once off experience. They won’t get a second chance to run it again. They owe it to themselves to have the best.
Padraic CawleyCivil Funeral Celebrant
Patrick and Monica Hickey, McNally’s Funeral Directors, Balbriggan, came up to Co. Antrim to collect their new 3 Door E Class from Deborah Quinn
of jewel lery, a photograph or any thing that is a personal reminder of their loved one in a smal l keepsake, keepsake pendant or urn.
Funeral directors we are cur rently working w ith have tai lored our serv ice to suit their needs. We have t wo options of how our serv ice can work for you. If you w ish you can buy our products f rom us at a w holesale price and sel l them directly to your clients. Alternatively we can o er this serv ice to your clients directly. We would hope that by recommending our serv ice we w ill enhance and add value to your business at no ex tra cost to you.
For more information contact us or visit our website Tel: 01 825 4579 From NI: 00353 1 825 4579 info@treasuredkeepsakes.ie www.treasuredkeepsakes.ie
The worst of the pandemic may be behind us, however in every walk of life its reach and lasting effects are visible to this day. It is very likely that life may never return to what we once considered ‘normal’ - at least not fully. Funerals Live made a valuable contribution during a time when the world attempted to find a way for loved ones to participate in a funeral restricted by social distancing measures, in the form of their secure online viewing system. Alan Foudy introduced the service in response to the increasing problem of families divided by miles, in a world increasingly marked by migration. Being part of the final goodbye to someone who has meant something in our lives has long been considered a crucial part of the grieving process, and Funerals Live enables families to record their loved ones funeral service in order to later afford family and friends who are unable to make it in person the opportunity to feel part of the experience. Those watching remotely are presented with the opportunity to take part in the grieving process via a secure online viewing system, at all times respecting the families wishes and with their express permission. The funeral service is recorded and made available a short while later through a secure online portal. It is important to note that the ceremony may only be accessed and viewed by those who have received a specific password. A live streaming option exists for those wishing to view in real-time.
Offering a professional and discreet service, Funerals Live respect the sensitivity of the occasion at all times and go the extra mile to respect all wishes. There are a range of options available to suit the different needs of each and every family who wish to avail of the services offered.
If you would like to know more, please feel free to contact Alan Foudy on: T: 087 765 8133 or by email: alan@foudystreaming.com
Streaming of full service including graveside and permanent USB copy for €450
Northern Ireland Kidney Research Fund are deeply sorry to have lost their highly esteemed member of over 50 years, Mrs Jackie Smiley.
Being a kidney transplant recipient twice in her life, first in the early ‘80’s then again, after failure and another 16 long years on dialysis, Jackie’s sister Joan McQuillan became her living donor in 2014. Jackie’s late sister Yvonne Scott and late mother Doreen Currie also benefitted from kidney transplants at Belfast City Hospital. Throughout their lives Jackie, her two sisters and family served NIKRF tirelessly, raising funds and promoting organ donation. Jackie also took part in the Transplant Games and was instrumental in helping to organise the first Lisburn Fun Run with Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council. Her fun and enthusiasm will be greatly missed, but most of all her friendship to the kidney family.
# 1 Continuing education: The PEAI educational programmes which provide updates on any issues that affect their jobs.
# 2 Networking opportunities: Professional association’s periodic meetings offer events throughout the year that allow professionals to network with their peers, you’ll forge lasting ties with others who have common professional interests and similar business concerns. These relationships will be a rich, ongoing source of inspiration and ideas. We try to accommodate nationwide meeting venue locations.
# 3 Access to resources: Offer helpful information about our industry. Such resources may also provide news about upcoming events, conferences, meetings, and even career opportunities not publicized elsewhere.
# 4 New perspective: Working as an embalmer can become extremely busy and can get stuck in their own little bubbles. Being around other industry professionals with different viewpoints will expose you to new ideas and outlooks. This can have a very positive effect not only on your personal growth and development but also your mental health.
# 5 Professional developments: Beyond proven certification provide some form of professional development opportunities.
These come in the form of workshops programme.
# 6 Getting your name out there: Professional organizations can be a great way to increase your own visibility, this increased visibility can be essential when trying to enhance your own professional trade service, especially in the beginning of your career.
# 7 Certificates: The PEAI supply all members with embalming certificates for repatriation cases.
# 8 Discounted Insurance: The PEAI supply discounted insurance products for its members.
You can be assured that all our members are continuously enhancing their skills and stay ahead of industry trends and techniques with our educational programmes. As a result of availing of our members services our members will aid you to provide a better service to your clients.ThePIEA has an established Code of Professional Conduct which must be adhered to by all of its members while practicing embalming.Allourmembers are provided with Professional Identification cards and embalming documentation required to accompany repatriation cases.
With you in mind please view our list of members available nationwide listed by county for your convenience www. professionalembalmers.ieAllmembersmustmeet certain criteria before being accepted into the Association.
NatalieMcKail, the former Inspector of Funeral Directors in Scotland, has been appointed to succeed the Rt Hon. David Heath CBE as chair of the Independent Funeral Standards Organisation.
Natalie’s appointment reflects a decision taken by the NAFD Governing Board, as sole IFSO member, to require prudent adjustments to IFSO’s operational structure, in response to the ongoing developments in the external policy environment which affect IFSO’s ability, in the short-to-medium term, to become a regulator for funeral firms beyond those already in NAFD membership.Sinceitwas
launched last year, the Independent Funeral Standards Organisation has built a strong service and brand – designed to meet its objective of delivering independent and proportionate voluntary regulation for the UK funeral sector that boosts consumer trust in funeral home standards of care. However, the announcement of licensing of funeral directors in Scotland, the inclusion of the funeral sector in the Fuller Inquiry into care of deceased people and the continuing absence of clear direction from the Ministry of Justice on their preferred regulatory model has necessitated these adjustments, which will ensure IFSO’s provision of independent standards monitoring remains unaffected, but pause growth plans until the policy direction is clearer.Natalie will be supported by an independent board, who will provide oversight of the work of IFSO’s team of Quality, Risk and Compliance Managers, led by Nigel Cooper and ensure seamless continuity of IFSO’s independent standards monitoring service to the 4,100 UK funeral homes in NAFD membership.
Independent Chair of the NAFD
Natalie McKail, the new chair of the Independent Funeral Standards Organisation
Board, Jonathan Rees, said: “We launched IFSO to become a regulator for the entire funeral sector.“However, these recent policy developments have combined to change fundamentally IFSO’s operating environment and short-term growth potential and so the NAFD Governing Board took the decision to ensure that IFSO’s pace of growth and operating costs could adapt in response, while continuing to provide an independent quality assurance model.
“In Natalie, we benefit from her extensive regulatory experience of the funeral sector and understanding of both the Funeral Director Code and the Statutory Code in Scotland - and I am delighted that she has agreed to come on board. She was also the architect of what is now the IFSO inspection regime, having undertaken an independent review of how NAFD members were inspected in 2019.
“On behalf of the Governing Board, I would like to thank David Heath, Director of Regulation John Withington and the retiring IFSO Board members for their commitment and hard work in establishing IFSO as a credible independent standards monitoring regulator for
the funeral sector, particularly in light of this rapidly evolving policy environment. They have established a strong foundation which Natalie, Nigel and the team will build upon.”
Added Natalie: “I would like to thank David, John and the team for setting up an organisation with such strong foundations and I am very much looking forward to getting started.
“Significant work has already been undertaken, not only through the creation of IFSO but more broadly in the sector, to embrace regulation and I look forward to bringing both my experience of the sector, but also over 20 years working in regulation, to lead IFSO into a proportionate and meaningful regulatory future.
“It is critical that we understand how the regulatory agendas of the Ministry of Justice, Scottish Government and CMA will intersect, and ensure IFSO is able to adapt its’ regulatory
framework to response - as that will be key to maintaining consumer confidence in funeral directors and ensuring high standards of quality that consumers rightly expect when they arrange a funeral.”
The NAFD remains committed to strong independent regulation of the funeral profession, in the public interest, including a statutory requirement for all UK firms providing funeral services to be subject to independent oversight of their standards of care, whether in a trade association or not. The NAFD will seek to make this case strongly to the Fuller Inquiry when evidence sessions commence in 2023 and will demonstrate that IFSO’s independent operational model and high expectation of registrants provides the ideal high water mark that all funeral firms in the UK should be required to meet.
NAFD Chief Executive Jon Levett intends to step down from his role in the Autumn, after four extremely challenging years.
Reflecting on the past few years working with Jon, NAFD independent chair Jonathan Rees said: “Jon has seen the NAFD through some of the toughest years in recent memory, having arrived in 2018 - shortly after the announcement that the Competition & Markets Authority would be investigating the sector.
“Under his leadership, the NAFD provided a robust and detailed challenge to the CMA’s assumptions about the sector, fought successfully to remove price regulation from the Funerals Market Order and the team at National Office continues to support members in ensuring
they are compliant with the requirements of the Order.
“He provided the NAFD and wider funeral sector with strong, steady and tireless leadership through the pandemic, making sure the NAFD built a trusted relationship with Government, collaborating with other trade bodies to create the Deceased Management Advisory Group and tackling both national and local issues on behalf of members.
“The Association also now has its first-ever five year strategy, launched in October 2021 and he has seen the NAFD through complex and long overdue governance changes, as well as being the driving force behind the design and creation of IFSO, which is already being
recognised by stakeholders as a bold and positive step towards independent oversight of standards in the funeral sector.
“On a personal level, in my role as independent chair, Jon has been a huge support to me and we have built a productive and open working relationship that I value highly. He has also built a strong and capable senior management team to deliver the NAFD strategy, a team in which I know members and our key partners have confidence and who they will support as we find and welcome Jon’s replacement as CEO.
“I know from speaking to Jon that this has been an incredibly tough decision and he will miss the funeral sector, NAFD members and his colleagues in Solihull. We will be working closely with Jon and the team, across the Summer, to maintain momentum through the transition period and ensure there is a seamless handover.”
Speaking on behalf of the NAFD Governing Board, President John Adams
added: “Jon leaves the NAFD in a very strong position, well-equipped to anticipate and respond to the changes happening within and around the sector and to build new opportunities and partnerships that will both secure and support the growth of member firms.
“On behalf of all members of the Association, I would like to thank him for all he has done for us and the bereaved families that we care for. We all wish him the very best in his new role.”
The process to find a successor for Jon has begun. Commercial Director Elaine Walder will assume the role of interim Chief Executive of the NAFD during the transition period and Director of Policy and Public Affairs Rachel Bradburne will also step up to become Acting Deputy CEO and Senior Director, assuming responsibility for representing the NAFD on sector-wide bodies and external groups, such as the Deceased Management Advisory Group.
Across three sunny days in Durham, in July, the second NAFD Summer School brought together leaders from across the funeral profession for sessions on the future of funeral service that were rich in ideas, discussion and both personal and professional experience.
“The seminars and subject matter this year were enthralling,” said Natalya Mclackland, of Regent Funeral Services, who was attending her second summer school. “The learning and development is compelling. The Summer School forms an important part of Continuous Professional Development and can help anyone to learn and inspire themselves in their current roles and beyond. Like any course, the more you put into it, the more you get out and with the
Summer School I truly believe that you must be able to give a part of yourself in this three-day course to get back something really meaningful,” sheSummeradded.school was led once again by Professor Douglas Davies, one of the countries most respected theologians. Professor Davies leads the Centre for Death and Life Studies (CDALS) at Durham University, which exists to foster and conduct research into life-values, beliefs, and practices that relate to living and dying. This year, Professor Davies brought CDALS colleagues and students along to contribute to the sessions on topics ranging from funeral poetry, to funerals and death online from the perspective of Jonathan Lethaby, a 21-year-old undergraduate student.”
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Also during the summer school, PHD student Georgina Robinson, who is studying Resomation (alkaline-hydrolysis), explored its introduction in other countries, her field trip to the USA and the progress towards it being introduced into the UK. Each evening, guests were invited to enjoy a relaxed dinner and conversation, enabling the group to build a very strong bond across the three days.
Shirley Deighan, of Deighans Funeral Parlour, said she thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. “I found all of the seminars very interesting and feel I have taken a lot away with me - I will never look at a poem in quite the same way! I also thought that it was also good to meet so many like-minded people, I will look out for a few faces next time I attend an NAFD event and I am sure will have a catch up with them. It was nice to do something for me! Unfortunately in our profession we seem to not prioritise ourselves.”
Newly elected President of the Yorkshire Area Federation Leanne Rookledge was also attracted to the blend of learning and networking: “I’m a sucker for academics, so
being at Durham University for a few days certainly attracted me, but I was also interested in the topics which were due to be discussed, particularly resomation and the impact of Covid on direct cremation; the discussions which arose within the group in relation to these matters were very insightful and it was great to hear perspectives from funeral directors working within different regions and across various company types.
“I was also attracted due to the networking and social opportunities available as a result of the intimate size of the group. Although attending other NAFD events is also great for networking, the small size of the summer school encouraged deeper conversations between members who may not have otherwise had the opportunity to meet.”Dates are already being discussed for the 2023 Summer School and, with only a maximum of thirty attendees, the places are likely to be snapped up quickly. If you’re interested in finding out more about NAFD Summer School, email Karen Burton on education@nafd.org.uk and she will put you on the mailing list for updates.
Asignificant number of the complaints that the NAFD’s Committee of Professional Standards receive are as a result of family disputes and the NAFD provides members with advice and support in dealing with family disputes, both through funeral directorspecific guidance ‘Am I the Right Person?’, in the members’ resource library on the NAFD members website portal and also through a consumer information downloadableleaflet,from the main NAFD website, entitled ‘Who Is entitled to make funeral arrangements?’ which sets out the hierarchy of entitlement for the public.With family disputes over funerals continuing to increase, it is important that funeral directors do all they can to avoid getting involved in the dispute.
NAFD Commercial Director Elaine Walder acknowledges that this may sometimes be easier said than done, but notes: “The Funeral Directors Code (Principle 11) is clear that you must take all reasonable steps to avoid becoming embroiled in family disputes and conflict situations. Establishing who is entitled to arrange a funeral at the outset is key. We should not assume that the nuances of this seemingly simple questions will be understood by your (potential) client and therefore it often falls to the funeral director to give guidance. A simple set of questions, or crib sheet may
assist, and make a difference should there be a disagreement later.
“With the ever-changing complexity of family relationships, it is vital that funeral directors ensure their client is the correct and most senior person in the hierarchy of entitlement to arrange the funeral. Where more than one person shares that position, all of them have equal rights. In these situations, the funeral director must step back and allow the family to agree unanimously who will be the spokesperson and act as the client.
“Proceeding before that family agreement is reached often ends with disputes and complaints. Despite every best effort, the right to arrange the funeral by the person who has been accepted as the client may still be challenged. When later it may transpire that the “client” is not the most senior in the hierarchy of entitlement, or there has been no agreement on the spokesperson, too often some funeral directors forge on. The CPS is repeatedly presented with the defence, ‘I was following my client’s instructions.’ However difficult it may be to turn away a grieving family, sometimes a clear pause until the position is certain is the best course of action.”
The NAFD’s guidance leaflet can be found in the Funeral Advice section of the NAFD website, www.nafd.org.uk.
Stephen Larkin, recently installed as the NAFD’s new Northern Ireland Area Federation President, had his first taste of the funeral profession at S. Clarke & Son in Newtownards, through work experience and
had already been offered a full time job there by the time his GCSEs came around. He wasn’t even old enough to drive, so his job was to keep the hearses clean and help the embalmer. After six years there, Stephen worked for the
Co-op for 15 years before moving to his current employer, Melville & Co in Belfast, where he is a senior funeral director.
“Supporting families and helping them through such a difficult period is a real honour,” he said. “It’s a privilege and something I feel honoured toStephendo.”
takes over the presidency at a time of political uncertainty with the immediate stability of the Northern Ireland Assembly under question following the recent elections.
That does not help the NAFD in its attempt to persuade the Minister for Infrastructure to change the legislation or regulations around funeral directors’ drivers being classified in law as taxis (or PSVs – public service vehicles) and therefore being subject to the same red tape as everyday cabs – something that is proving expensive and restrictive to funeral firms.
“It is the biggest issue facing funeral directors at the moment,” Stephen said. “There is a real shortage of PSV-licensed drivers which is having a major impact on funeral directors being able to offer limousines to families. There was an opportunity towards the end of the last Parliament for (then Infrastructure Minister) Nichola Mallon to do something and change all this but she chose not to.
“Hopefully the new Minister will see sense and understand how this situation is impacting the funeral profession and change it to remove funeral directors from taxi regulations. We need to make sure we keep pushing at this because change needs to happen, and we will be pressing our case to the new Minister at the earliest opportunity.”
And after two years where movement has been so restricted, Stephen is keen to get out and about to meet NAFD member firms and
listen to their concerns.
“The NAFD’s momentum in Northern Ireland has stalled a little bit over the last couple of years; we’ve had several Zoom meetings but losing that face-to-face element means people aren’t really engaged. We need to raise our profile a little with members, let them know what we are doing and listen to what they want us to do.
“I’d like to get round as many funeral directors as possible and let them know that the NAFD is active; representing their views on councils, at government level and lobbying on their behalf. We need to attract more members to meetings and have guest speakers that matter and that people will want to listen to. It’s important that the NAFD keeps pushing on to the next level.”
Stephen, pictured with his wife, Joanne, and their two daughters, Connie and Zadie
Martin
Neary, Mullenmadogue, Swinford applied to Mayo County Council for permission to be buried on his own land. He was refused on the grounds that he “Did not prove to the satisfaction of MCC that the proposal would not pose a risk to ground water.” The council also, “... must consider the precedent that such a proposal would set throughout the County.”MrNeary’s comment to that was, “They reckoned I would poison the water. I’m only about 10 stone. I don’t think I would cause much pollution.”Thecouncil’s decision was overturned by An Bord Pleanála and Martin was given permission to be buried on his own land, “in accordance
with the said plans and particulars based on the reasons and particulars...” An Bord Pleanála inspector Lorraine Dockery said, “Martin’s wish to be buried on his land did not raise any issues ofMartin,principle.”anatheist, says, “All my arrangements for the hereafter have been finalised.” His “grave” is ready; complete with coping and a tombstone and when his time comes he will be laid to rest beside his beloved sheepdog, Van Gogh, who is already interred. He says, “It will be nice to be buried close to a cherished friend.” And, “I thought it would be better to have my wake before I die.”
His 37-acre holding which, he has bequeathed for community and recreational purposes will be known for ever more as Martin Neary Woodland Park. Martin at his grave where his sheepdog, Van Gough lies
Aftering is the only radio show and podcast in Ireland exploring mortality. Every week, Valerie Vetter talks to a wide range of special guests exploring the past, present and future of dealing with death.
Previous programmes have included looking at the history of keening and traditional Irish funeral practices to learning about the complexities of 21st century digital afterlives
plus shows on palliative rehabilitation, green burial practices, terramation, being a death doula, importance of coroner’s court reform and coping with grief and loss.
The Aftering radio show is on 103.2 Dublin City FM Mondays at 2pm and can also be listened to live online via DublinCityFM.ie and podcasts available on Soundcloud.com/ aftering_podcasts
Jennifer Muldowney is an event planner for memorials in the United States of America and Ireland and is currently partnered with the prestigious Frank E. Campbell - The Funeral Chapel in NYC as their in-house event planner.
Jennifer is also notable as author of Say Farewell Your Way, Tedx speaker of ‘Grief as Unique as your Heartbeat’ and host of ‘The Glam Reaper Podcast’.
Check out Muldowney Memorials (.com) to learn more.
By Jennifer MuldowneyFuneral service is a high-touch, high-stress career that, unfortunately, comes with a high-degree of compassion fatigue and burnout. To help members of the funeral service profession understand when onthe-job stress might be impacting them and steps they can take to better cope with and preserve their emotional well-being, the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) has introduced the free Take 5 selfcare series.
“Effectively managing that stress is so very important because, when we take care of ourselves, we’ll be better able to take care of the families who are depending on us,” said NFDA President Randy Anderson, CFSP,
CCO. “The new Take 5 self-care series is a free resource developed by NFDA to help anyoneregardless of membership status - identify and address the stresses in your life that come with being a funeral service professional.”
The key here is free and regardless of membership status because I know a lot of Irish funeral directors are not members of the international arm of the NFDA in the USA because it doesn’t necessarily make financial sense to do so when you’re community is small as many are in Ireland.
Available online 24/7, Take 5 is a series of short activities designed to give funeral service professionals information and practices to better care for themselves. The interactive series features short videos, quizzes, selfassessments and self-care tips.
Take 5 helps you to:
• Identify sources of stress that personally impact you on the job and at home and gauge level of burnout.
• Recognize symptoms of burnout and common, often unhealthy, coping mechanisms.
• Use strategies for minimizing the impact of stress on the job and tips to develop a personal plan for self-care.
• Be proactive and prioritize your self-care in small, manageable steps.
• Understand the wide range of free resources available to funeral professionals to further explore self-care and mental health with articles, screenings and toolkits.
Access the Take 5 series online, www.nfda. org/Take5.
William and Sam Hall from John Hall Funeral Directors, Gloucester, collect their new 5 door E Class hearse. This is the 8th vehicle Hall’s have had built by Quinn’s over the past 25 years
We know how much you value your independence.
The funeral industry may have changed but our passion for supporting our members has remained the same. We represent you on the issues that matter, from improving understanding of funeral pricing to influencing the legislation which a ects your future. Let us take care of the big picture so you can focus locally on what you do best.
For over 30 years SAIF has been promoting and protecting the interests and values of independent funeral directors. Supporting our members is at the heart of everything we do, listening, responding and engaging to secure your independent future Visit saif.org.uk or call us on 0345 230 6777 or 01279 726777
Every month SAIF holds webinars for its members that cover a variety of topics from regulation updates, how to achieve an online presence through to wellbeing for staff and clients. As a SAIF member you will be invited to register or if, due to work commitments you are unable to attend then by logging onto the members area of the website you will be able to view previous recordings.
Is there a subject that may not have been covered but you feel would be relevant to SAIF members? Would you like to host a webinar about a specific subject? If so, please contact
the SAIF Business Centre.
If you are an independent funeral director and not a SAIF member and these would be of interest, then please visit https://saif.org.uk/ why-join-saif/ where you can view the other benefits of being a member of SAIF and how to join.
If you wish to discuss the application process in more detail then please call the SAIF Business Centre on either 01279 726777 or 0345 230 6777 where one of the team will be willing to help you.
SAIF attended the National Funeral Exhibition on the 10 – 12 June 2022 at Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth.
the profession. It was lovely to catch up with colleagues, existing members and potential applicants.
Along with SAIF’s National President Jo Parker, Chief Executive Terry Tennens, members of
Throughout the weekend our stand was continuously busy with the opportunity to meet both existing and new members and associates, either to find out information on joining us or with general queries surrounding
the Executive Committee, Fellows and Past Presidents we were also accompanied on our stand with representatives from the SAIF’s NextGen group, Brian Hart, Jodie Champ and Nina Nicholls from SAIFInsure and Catherine and Chantelle from Professional Help who were on hand to answer questions about SAIFCare andOnSAIFSupport.FridayandSaturday, there was the opportunity to speak to representatives from Westerleigh and Distinct Cremations to answer questions on the Diamond Partnership. Along with Malcolm Flanders and Karen Trickett from Golden Charter who were also on hand Friday
and Saturday to answer questions regarding FCA Regulations and SAIF Digital respectively.
Thank you to those who brought a raffle ticket to win an iPad kindly donated by Abbey Funerals Services and 2 bottles of gin donated by Omega. All proceeds were the Presidents Charity Papyrus and approx. £600 was raised with Funeral Solutions winning the iPad and Secure Haven Urns & Keepsakes and J. C. Walwyn & Sons Ltd.
On behalf of SAIF, we would like to thank you to all who took time to visit the SAIF stand, for the positive feedback and wonderful comments.
If you would like more information about joining SAIF and being able to access benefits including Professional Indemnity Insurance, please don’t hesitate to contact the SAIF Business Centre; we are only a phone call away and will be happy to help.
Tel: 0345
In March 2022, DSM-5 designated Prolonged Grief as a Disorder (PGD), establishing criteria and factors in the grieving process that might indicate a long-term problem or mental health disorder.ButIhave a much simpler question. “How do people get to a state of prolonged or persistent grief?” What is the reason behind the reaction?
The World Health Organization (WHO) in their International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) describes PGD as “persistent and pervasive longing for, or preoccupation with, the deceased that lasts at least six months after loss. In addition, people with the disorder often experience intense emotional pain (such as sadness, guilt or anger), difficulty accepting the death, emotional numbness, a feeling that part of them has been lost, an inability to experience positive mood and difficulty engaging in social activities.”Admittedly experiencing the psychological and emotional symptoms of grief over an extended period of time is distressing.
But we should ask the question: What is an appropriate time-frame? The risk of making grief a mental health disorder after six months to one year from the symptoms described above not only seems premature, but runs the risk of grief support becoming the exclusive province of specialists, rather than the responsibility of caring communities.
This is why many who work with the dying or bereaved are wary of the prolonged grief diagnosis in DSM-5. There are certain situations whereby many would say that it was entirely normal (albeit difficult) to have a prolonged response, such as in a sudden or traumatic loss, or the loss of a child, among others. So we must be careful not to suggest that there is only one universal linear time frame by which such crucial
assessments about grief should be made. American Psychiatric Association CEO and Medical Director, Dr. Saul Levin, stated, “Especially now, sharing information and increasing awareness about prolonged grief disorder is essential.”
But that raises the question “What help and support did the individual receive in the 12 months that got them into prolonged grief disorder?”Ifthereis indeed a reason for every reaction, we must ask “Why” any specific individual arrives at a clinical diagnosis of prolonged grief disorder. Could it be that their grief was not legitimized or validated, and with the cultural norms of “it’s been three months, you ought to be ‘over’ it”, allowed their grief to “marinate” until it became insurmountable.
I wonder if a more concentrated effort to share information about “normal grief” with appropriate support and education were to become a priority in the months following bereavement, would that not reduce the instances of prolonged grief disorder and thus lessen the strain on the mental health system, as well as reducing the huge expense of professional treatment for those whose “normal symptoms” deteriorate into a “disorder”?
Although the “normal” grieving process is neither fully understood nor universally accepted, one credible theory holds that healthy grieving typically involves completion of “loss-focused” and “restoration focused” tasks (Stroebe & Schut, 1999). This is known as the “Continuing Bonds Theory” whereby the griever confronts “loss stressors” when doing things that involve engagement with stimuli that serve as reminders of the reality of the loss, such as looking through old photos of or sharing stories about the deceased. This
emotionally demanding work is balanced by periods of withdrawal from loss stressors; the griever’s attention “oscillates” between evocative echoes of the past and presentfocused activities.
In simpler words, the experience of grief does not simply run 6-12 months. Grief comes and goes until it is reconciled… or not! And both can happen.According to Stroebe and Schut, at the same time that the griever learns to cope with doses of loss stressors, he/she also focuses on the restoration of everyday life functions that depended critically on the lost loved one, such as managing finances, cooking, or seeking out new sources of social and emotional support andThroughcompanionship.thecompletion of loss-focussed and restoration-focused tasks, the griever is able to come to an acceptance of their irrevocably changed circumstances and re-engage in life. Researcher George A. Bonanno states that identifying those at risk of prolonged grief will be an important next step for the field. “It’s clear there’s a group of people who are not recovering (from grief). The puzzle scientists need to solve is how to identify these people, and intervene, early on.”
In the first weeks and months after losing a loved one, grief is regarded as a healthy and normal reaction. In fact, Dr. Holly Prigerson says “Bereavement is a normal event. To start calling bereaved people mentally ill is a really risky thing that you need to handle very delicately.” When it persists it becomes problematic. Indeed, most bereavement care is practiced outside the province of psychology and psychiatric professions. Dr. Robert Niemeyer writes: “The great majority of bereavement care is provided by volunteers in hospice settings, counsellors or people in pastoral care, typically with fewer formal or clinical preparations. “
To be clear, I’m not saying that community support of normal grief will always have a good outcome and prevent complicated mourning, prolonged or persistent grief.
What I am saying is that I believe we need to focus more on the preventative aspects of complicated grief by providing support, education, empathy and empowerment for the bereaved in the months following bereavement, which can be done in the community, before the ongoing and neglected despair of loss leads to more complex and prolonged symptoms that require professional clinical intervention.
Dr. Bill Webster understands grief not just in theory, but also from personal experience. In his book, “First you Hurt, Then you Heal”, Dr. Bill outlines a road map for the grief journey in a series of articles that take us through the process .
He begins with a chapter entitled “I Didn’t Plan for This” that gives people an understanding of what they may experience in the early days after a loss. The book then goes on to give us an understanding of grief, some insights into various situations of loss, and some strategies to help us work through the process.
This book will be a helpful resource for those who are going through a grief process as well as containing much relevant and practical information for those who would like to know what they can say and how they can help someone who has experienced a significant loss. It will also serve as a basic knowledge and layman’s guide for those in the helping professions such as nurses, teachers, funeral directors and those who seek to support grieving people, young and old, through their work. “First you Hurt, Then you Heal” provides practical, down to earth and effective insight into one of the most difficult topics and most misunderstood experiences of life.
First you Hurt, Then you Heal: A Road Map for the Grief Journey (Kindle Edition) is avaialble to buy on Amazon.
Northern Ireland Kidney Research Fund was out in full force to celebrate the 50th year of the Waringstown Vintage Cavalcade on 24th June, where once again the funeral industry lent their support by turning up in a wide range of vintage funeral vehicles helping to raise funds.
The NIKRF stand was kindly supplied by Gerard Campbell of GM Canopies.
The Waringstown Vintage Cavalcade has become a fixture on the local calendar with thousands of enthusiastic supporters turning up every year to see the most amazing display of vintage vehicles. There was something for everyone including:
• New mascot, Bella the Kidney Cow, made a special appearance and loved meeting the fans.
• Having your photo taken at our Kidney Cow Stand;•Hot food, ice cream and toy stand
It was a fun, family evening with vehicles of every sort driving through the beautiful village and NIKRF were delighted to be part of what is an important fund raising event for kidney research.Allproceeds from the evening went to support the important work of the Northern Ireland Kidney Research Fund.
Northern Ireland Kidney Research Fund (NIKRF) is the leading charity funding kidney research in Northern Ireland. A voluntary organisation, NIKRF raises funds for life saving research into the causes and possible cures for kidney disease, and promotes organ donation, directly for the benefit of the people of Northern Ireland.
established and respected Logans
Funeral Services has forged a new relationship with Coleman Milne with a landmark business investment and has taken delivery of a brand-new Mercedes hearse.
For over 50 years, family owned Logans Funeral Services has provided exceptional care to bereaved families in and around the districts of Ballymena. Originally founded by Frederick Logan, son Trevor has now taken the reigns and proudly continues the family tradition of providing a sensitive, supportive, and personalised service.
The Mercedes E213 Classic diesel hearse been expertly redesigned by the company’s in-house engineering team, drawing upon over 40 years of Mercedes expertise. The high specification and fuel-efficient hearse exhibits a range of innovative features and options including 2 bearer seats, a visually impressive Vogue Grey
deck, wreath rail and internal coverboards. Passenger comfort is second to none in this spacious hearse and the generous internal deck space make this a class-leading funeral vehicle.
Trevor Logan added:
“Presentation is key, and we maintain the highest standards in all aspects of our business. All our vehicles are maintained to pristine condition and provide elegance to grace to the funeral cortege, sourcing a new edition to the fleet was a decision not taken lightly. Coleman Milne is the obvious choice in terms of the quality of the craftsmanship, the comfort and style and this state-of-the-art hearse will stand the test of time and serve our business for years to come.”
