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IAFD News
A Letter from the IAFD President
Dear Reader
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It was a great honour for me to be appointed as the President of the IAFD at our AGM on November 21st 2020. It was unfortunate that we could not meet our members in person or hold our annual Dinner Dance. Experiencing the association’s first virtual AGM by Zoom was interesting, and all things considered, it went extremely well on the day, mainly thanks to the hard work of Beverley Brown and Colm Kieran.
I would like to thank and congratulate our past President, Mr Robert Fanagan for his hard work during, what was, an extremely difficult year for all of us. I would also like to thank my colleagues on the Board of the IAFD for all the hard work they do on our members’ behalf.
I am a third-generation funeral director - I grew up near our family business in South Gate Bridge, Cork. As a child I was always around the funeral home helping my parents and it was no surprise to anyone that I would go on to work full-time in the family business. I have been attending IAFD meetings since the 1980’s and always enjoy catching up with other funeral directors. I have always felt that the IAFD plays a major role in the funeral profession in Ireland.
Finally, for the coming year as President I will represent the IAFD to the best of my ability, and with that, I would just like to wish you all well and hope that you and your families stay safe.
Kind regards
Donal Forde
IAFD President
IAFD News
AGM 2020
The IAFD AGM took place on Saturday, November 21st, 2020 by Zoom. It was quite an experience hosting the event virtually, but thankfully it went very well. Twenty-two Members attended together with the full IAFD Board.
Donal Forde, Chair of the Education Committee reported on the activities of the Committee and provided information regarding the Education Course - the Funeral Directing Certificate Award. He was delighted to announce that, despite COVID 19 restrictions, we were able to offer the Education Course again in 2020. The course commenced on October 8th 2020 and there are currently 17 candidates.
Fintan Cooney, Membership Officer reported that 2020 was a record year for new IAFD members with thirteen new full members and six new associate members joining our association. He attributed this increase to three factors.
Firstly, IAFD’s profile and awareness has grown during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Association has been a leading voice for the funeral profession and featured prominently in national media over the previous months. Secondly, now more than ever Funeral Directors are seeing the benefit of being members of a national organisation, which is representing their interests and needs at the highest levels. Finally, Funeral Directors are recognising that IAFD membership provides excellent value for money - with an annual membership fee of less than the cost of the professional indemnity insurance, which is included in this subscription.
Fintan also reported on Excellence Program 2 which is now in its fourth year. The programme had a delayed start due to lock-down but resumed in September with a plan to visit 40 members before year-end. However, it was suspended again due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Mary Cunniffe, Public Relations Officer reported that 2020 had been a busy year as the
IAFD News
Association’s spokesperson. Media interviews took place with the Newstalk Breakfast Show, Jennifer Zamparelli on 2FM and various local radio stations There were also contributions in the national press and provincial newspapers on various topics, but mainly in relation to Government and HSE COVID-19 guidelines, restrictions during lock-down and the lifting of and changes in restrictions during the various phases.
Mary extended her thanks to Colm Kieran, who without hesitation at a very critical time, took up the role of spokesperson for the Association. During the months of March, April and May Colm participated in many media interviews ensuring a clear message was delivered from the IAFD to the media and public alike, while reinforcing the steps necessary to ensure the safety and welfare of our members and their client families.
Niall Mulligan, Hon. Treasurer reported on the Audit and Risk Committee and presented the annual accounts.
Finally, Robert Fanagan made his Outgoing President’s address and invited Donal Forde to become IAFD President for 2021.
OTHER NEWS... COVID-19
BREXIT
On behalf of the IAFD we have requested information from the Irish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Simon Coveney regarding the potential impacts of Brexit on Funeral Directors. Any information received will be communicated to our members. We have also been in communication with the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) in relation to Northern Ireland and will share any information we receive with IAFD Members.
We all hoped 2021 would be a bright new dawn in which COVID-19 would be just a bad memory. Unfortunately, we find ourselves in a continuing cycle of restrictions as the virus mutates. We are now in a critical situation and we are asking all Funeral Directors to refrain from advertising funeral arrangements in accordance with the HSE guidelines. While some of us may not like or even agree with all of the guidelines and restrictions, as Funeral Directors we must show leadership in our communities. We have a responsibility to the public at large, the families we work for, our staff and other colleagues, our own families and our fellow funeral directors to reduce the spread of the virus. If we ignore the guidelines, we are compromising the health and safety of our communities. The IAFD will continue to update members with new guidelines, if and when they change.
COVID-19 VACCINE
In Northern Ireland frontline funeral operatives and mortuary technicians/embalmers are now categorised in the list of frontline healthcare staff for whom occupational immunisation with the COVID-19 vaccine is recommended.
In the Republic of Ireland IAFD has been in contact with the Government and the Health Service Executive, impressing upon them the importance that Funeral Directors and their staff are included with other frontline and emergency workers for priority vaccination. When we have any information on this all members will be informed.
IAFD Contacts
Donal Forde (President) Forde & Sons Funeral Home
South Gate Bridge Cork Co. Cork Ph: 021 4318222 Email: fordes@indigo.ie
Dara Gillespie (First Vice President) Finlays Funeral Service
Tierney Street Ardee Co. Louth Mobile: 086 7923472 Email: dara.gillespie@finlaygrp.com
Robert Fanagan (Immediate Past President) Fanagans
Trim Co. Meath Mobile: 086 8208501 Ph: 046 9438662 Email: heffernansfd@gmail.com
Mary Cunniffe (PRO) Massey Bros Funeral Home
Templeogue Village Dublin 6W Mobile: 085 8010742 Ph: 01 4907601 Email: mary.cunniffe@hotmail.com
Fintan Cooney (Membership Officer) Fanagans
54 Aungier Street Dublin 2 Ph: 01 4167700 Email: fintanjen@gmail.com
Niamh Sweeney (Education Officer) John Sweeney and Sons
Fairgreen Arklow Co Wicklow Ph: 0402 32333 Email: niamh@johnsweeneyandsons.ie
Dermot McCarthy McCarthy’s Funeral Home
Gurrane, Banteer, Cork. Ph: 029 56044 Email: dermot@mccarthyfuneraldirectors. com
Edwina Fitzgerald Fitzgeralds Funeral Directors
Channel Road Rush Co. Dublin Ph: 087 3512949 Email: edwinafitzgerald78@gmail.com
Keith Greaney Conneely Funeral Directors
Tom Lawless Lawless Funeral Directors
Mucklagh, Tullamore Co. Offaly Ph: 057 9322622 Email: info@tullamorefunerals.ie
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We Stand Together
During the toughest of times, we stand together
This last year has been the toughest that many businesses have ever faced, and the funeral profession is no exception. With more than 100 family businesses in our network, Funeral Partners understands the pressures you have faced. For some of you, the coronavirus outbreak may have focused your mind on the future of your business, your resilience to the next set of challenges and the succession plans you have in place. Despite the current climate we would still like to talk to you if you are thinking about selling your business.
We are Funeral Directors. Like you.
As experienced Funeral Directors, we know you want to maintain your business’s reputation, ensure continuity of care for families, protect your employees’ interests, and keep your family name above the door.
You’ll be in safe hands with Funeral Partners
For an informal, confidential conversation about selling your business now, or in the future contact:
Sam Kershaw, Chief Executive Officer
07834 531822 sam.kershaw@funeralpartners.co.uk
Steve Wilkinson, Acquisition & Mergers Director
07528 970531 steve.wilkinson@funeralpartners.co.uk
Funerals without families
The team at Finders International
Staff at Finders International Probate Genealogists locate Deceased’s next of kin on behalf of Funeral Directors, Hospitals, Councils, Care Homes and Solicitors.
If you have been contacted by a Hospital or Care Home and asked to arrange a funeral where someone has died with no known next of kin, there are ways in which we can provide assistance.
We can carry out research to locate
