Business Details
37 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Partner for Funeral Services Solutions
Established in 1989, our organization was founded to support independent funeral directors in maintaining high standards of service amid growing industry consolidation. We represent approximately 1,000 funeral director members operating across 1,865 locations, alongside 100 associate members supplying specialized products and services to the profession. Our executive leadership team, supported by national committees, works tirelessly to promote best practices, deliver comprehensive training through the Independent Funeral Directors College, and advocate for the interests of both funeral service providers and bereaved families. With ISO 9001 certification for our quality assurance programme, we maintain rigorous membership standards that include demonstrated trading history and premises inspections against our industry-leading Code of Practice.Our SAIF Care service provides essential bereavement support through trained counsellors, while our consumer protection scheme offers one of the most robust complaint resolution frameworks in the funeral services sector. Through continuous engagement with government bodies at all levels, we ensure the voices of independent funeral directors remain heard in policy discussions affecting the profession. Our national president and executive officers, all active funeral directors themselves, bring decades of practical experience to guide our strategic direction. We maintain dedicated Scottish representation to address regional-specific legislative matters, ensuring comprehensive support for members across the entire UK.
Services
Funeral Planning
Bereavement Support
Training Programs
Consumer Protection
Repatriation Services
Direct Cremation
Pre-Paid Funeral Plans
Code of Practice Compliance
Cremation Services
Professional Standards
Details
- Year established: 1989
Highlights and features
- We have over 30 years of experience supporting independent funeral directors
- Our members adhere to a stringent Code of Practice and ISO 9001 standards
- We offer a robust Consumer Protection Scheme for dispute resolution
- SAIF Care provides dedicated bereavement support for families
- We deliver comprehensive training through the Independent Funeral Directors College
Associations and certifications
- ISO 9001:2015
Services
Funeral Planning
We guide families through funeral planning with professional support and transparent pricing. Our members provide comprehensive guidance on all aspects of funeral arrangements, including burial vs cremation options, service customization, and legal requirements. We ensure families receive clear information about costs and choices while maintaining dignity and respect throughout the process.
Bereavement Support
Our SAIF Care service offers dedicated bereavement support through trained counsellors. We provide free telephone and online chat support for bereaved families, with access to experienced professionals who understand the grieving process. Support operates daily with extended evening hours to accommodate different needs while maintaining confidentiality and empathetic care.
Professional Training
Through our Independent Funeral Directors College, we deliver comprehensive training programmes for funeral professionals. Our curriculum covers all aspects of funeral directing, including legal requirements, customer care, and business management. We ensure members maintain the highest standards through continuous professional development opportunities and industry-specific certifications.
Consumer Protection
We provide one of the funeral industry's most robust consumer protection schemes. Our alternative dispute resolution process offers impartial investigation of complaints against members, with established procedures for fair resolution. This ensures both clients and funeral directors have confidence in our quality assurance framework and commitment to maintaining trust in the profession.
Repatriation Services
We advise on international repatriation procedures for deceased individuals. Our guidance covers legal requirements, documentation, and coordination with overseas funeral providers. We help families navigate complex cross-border arrangements while ensuring compliance with all necessary regulations and providing practical support throughout the repatriation process.
People
Terry Tennens
Chief Executive
With extensive experience in funeral services, Terry leads SAIF's strategic direction and external representation. He has been instrumental in expanding our training programmes and enhancing member support services since joining in 2016. Terry received the Fellowship of the Society award in 2023 for outstanding contributions to the profession.
Ross Hickton
National President
As a practicing funeral director in the Black Country, Ross brings practical insights to his leadership role. He champions prostate cancer awareness through our charity initiatives and represents member interests at national level discussions. His presidency focuses on strengthening independent funeral services across the UK.
Declan Maguire
Saif Scotland President
Declan oversees our Scottish operations and ensures compliance with regional legislation. He leads efforts to implement Scotland's government requirements for funeral directors while maintaining high service standards. His leadership strengthens our presence and influence in the Scottish funeral services sector.
Katie Stevenson
Wellbeing Programme Lead
As a qualified fitness trainer and mental health coach, Katie develops our wellbeing initiatives. She leads our mental fitness webinars and podcast series, combining funeral industry experience with wellness expertise to support members' personal and professional development.
Gavin Henshelwood
Saif Scotland Secretary
Gavin manages administrative operations for our Scottish members and coordinates regional meetings. With extensive experience in funeral service administration, he ensures smooth implementation of policies and maintains effective communication channels between members and our national office.
Questions
What does SAIF represent for funeral directors?
We represent the interests of independent funeral directors through advocacy, training, and quality assurance. Our ISO-certified standards ensure professionalism and trust in the funeral services profession.
How does SAIF support bereaved families?
Through our SAIF Care service, we provide free bereavement support including telephone counselling and online chat with trained professionals to help families navigate their grief journey.
Can anyone join SAIF as a member?
We have stringent membership requirements including proven trading history and facility inspections against our Code of Practice to maintain high service standards across all member funeral homes.
What training programmes do you offer?
Our Independent Funeral Directors College delivers comprehensive training covering all aspects of funeral service provision, from legal requirements to customer care and business management.
How to handle complaints about member services?
We have a robust consumer protection scheme with clear complaint procedures, ensuring fair resolution through our Alternative Dispute Resolution process for any concerns about member services.
What international funeral arrangements do you assist with?
We provide expert guidance on repatriation procedures, including documentation requirements and coordination with overseas funeral providers for cross-border deceased transportation.
