Funeral Times issue 3 2018

The magazine for Funeral Directors in Ireland

2018 Vol.18 No.3

Illaunmanagh, Shannon, Co. Clare

A peaceful and rural choice for cremation in the West of Ireland

CON TA C T U S

Tel: 065 671 3088 • Mob: 087 176 0001 Email: dara@shannoncrematorium.com • Web: www.shannoncrematorium.com Services available 7 days a week. No surcharge for Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Introducing our new

‘Funeral Foto’ Designed and developed by Danny Morning

T: +353 (0) 74 9129366 | www.funeralfoto.com Listillion, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal More details on page 44

The magazine for Funeral Directors in Ireland

Guard of honour for Hugh Dougal................................... 4

Peadar Byrne with Ireland’s first Hybrid Hearse........... 10

Contents

Double Presidential honours at Massey Bros................ 27

Editorial and Advertising contacts: Graham Brown | Ruth McQuillan Vikki Crangle | Paula Hanna Tel: (028) 3835 5060 (048) from ROI Funeral Times is owned and published by: InHouse Publications, 1 Annagh Drive, Craigavon, Co. Armagh BT63 5WF email: sales@funeraltimes.com

Funeral Directors guard of honour for Hugh Dougal...... 4 First anniversary for Shannon Crematorium.................... 6 Ireland’s first Hybrid Hearse.......................................... 10 IAFD News.................................................................... 18 Double Presidential honours at Massey Bros................ 27 Councils debate children’s funeral fees......................... 29 BIE News....................................................................... 32 Karl Wedzel on The Jaundice Case................................ 35 PEAI News..................................................................... 46 Lakelands Crematorium take the green route................ 49 Mary Elizabeth Dillon delivers an Express Service....... 51 UK announces two reviews into funeral pricing............ 52 Jennifer Muldowney reports from Las Vegas................. 55 SAIF News..................................................................... 57 Councils make business case for crematorium in north west................................................................... 63 Dr Bill Webster on making waves of grief and gladness................................................................... 64 Padraic Cawley knows that Leading a funeral isn’t about me................................... 67 Mattie Lennon on Maud and Cathal et al ...................... 70 NAFD News................................................................... 73 Classifieds...................................................................... 83

Disclaimer: Readers are urged to support the magazine’s advertisers, but the publishers cannot be held responsible for any claims made or implied in the advertisements. The publishers reserve the right to refuse advertising. Opinions expressed in this magazine by contributing writers and advertisers are not necessarily those of the publishers. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information contributed for inclusion in this magazine but no legal responsibility will be accepted by the publishers for loss arising from the use of published articles. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior consent. Articles and photographs for inclusion are welcomed but the publishers cannot accept responsibility for their loss or damage however caused.

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Funeral Directors form guard of honour for Hugh Dougal Undertakers from across Ireland formed a guard of honour outside St Brigid’s Church in south Belfast in memory of Hugh Dougal, who passed away in June following a short illness.

H

ugh was the third generation of his family to be involved with the Belfast firm O’Kanes, and was regularly featured in coverage of funerals during the Troubles, making him a familiar sight to people across the north.

While he retired several years ago, handing the reins over to his son Hugh, he still regularly helped out with funerals.

Dozens of funeral directors were among the many mourners at the Requiem Mass, as well as many people who had been helped

by Mr Dougal following the death of a loved one.

Pictures by Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Parish priest Fr Eddie O’Donnell told the packed congregation how the 72 yearold would be remembered as the “very best of friends... for countless families in our community” and that Mr Dougal was renowned for his “gentle, quiet way”.

The father-of-two was a “dedicated and sympathetic funeral director”.

Mr Dougal showed “great compassion and sensitivity” as he entered homes and “often at scenes of great horror”.

Fr O’Donnell said Mr Dougal’s illness was “sudden, devastating and short...death came too early. A deeply religious man, Hugh, in the midst of his illness, found an invincible calm.”

Mr Dougal’s son Hugh paid tribute to his father, who he said had “worked hard from day one to maintain the family business. He never took his work home, he always came in with a smile.”

He told the congregation that when they were told of his father’s illness, doctors told them it was a “one in a million” chance,

but it was his father who was a “one in a million...daddy, God bless”.

Mr Dougal is survived by his wife Frances, daughter Cathy, son Hugh, and six grandchildren.

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Shannon Crematorium celebr

As Shannon Crematorium celebrates its first year of operation, the management and staff would like to thank the 129 different funeral directors who have brought families and their loved ones to Shannon Crematorium

W

ell over 500 funeral services have been celebrated at Shannon and the overwhelming feedback from families and funeral directors is that the facility and service afforded by Shannon Crematorium is beautiful, comforting, gentle and personal.

Shannon Crematorium’s peaceful & scenic location has afforded families a beautiful and comforting location in which reflections and celebrations of life have taken place. The variety of services held in the crematorium have ranged from the most personal and private services with close families to large gatherings celebrating the life of the deceased incorporating live music & song.

A number of families have taken advantage of the onsite tea rooms and have had a gathering with refreshments and lunch after their service.

The opening and operation of the only

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Crematorium in the West of Ireland has allowed many families an alternative to travelling long distances for cremation.

Feedback from many is that cremation would not have been an option were it not for Shannon Crematorium being so close.

PREPAYMENT OPTIONS: Shannon Crematorium are pleased to announce that it has finalised its prepayment option package for both cremation services and niches in the Columbarium wall.

Members of the public who wish to plan for the future can now liaise directly with Shannon Crematorium to prepay for their cremation service at the current 2018 rate.

In simple terms a voucher is purchased by the person wishing to be cremated and this in turn is given to the funeral director advising that the cremation cost of the

rates its first year of business!

Inside the Crematorium funeral arrangements have been paid for upfront.

“We are conscious that some people want to plan in advance for the inevitable; by purchasing a prepayment option, those planning in advance feel they are helping their families by having part of their funeral costs paid off ” reports Dara O’Callaghan General Manager “We are receiving an increased number of enquiries from those looking to plan their cremation service and prepaying the cost is an important part of their planning.”

Reserving a niche in Shannon Crematorium’s columbarium wall is also available under a prepay payment option

thus affording comfort to families that their loved ones ashes will be stored in a secure place of choice.

If you would like further details on our prepayment options or information on Shannon Crematorium please feel free to contact Dara O’Callaghan or any of the team at Shannon Crematorium on T:065 671 3088 or T:087 1760001 or visit our website; www.shannoncrematorium.com

The columbarium wall FuneralTimes | 7

Available in Steel, Solid Oak, Solid Mahogany and Poplar

Steel available in White, Blue, Silver, Gold and White / Pink

Going out in style with Ireland’s first Hybrid Hearse

The new Ford Deacon Hybrid

(L to R) Peadar Byrne, Byrne Coach Builders, at the wheel; Paul O’Sullivan, Director of Sales, Ford Ireland; and Mel Rogers of Byrne & Maguire, Main Ford Dealer, Dundalk

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ever has there been a more important time to show a responsibility to the planet and Mother Earth. At Byrne Coachcraft of Dundalk we have proudly introduced to the fleet a Ford Vehicle which meets the needs of a greener planet, assisting both those who are with us and for those who have passed on.

Hybrid Electric Vehicles are the most popular of the ‘electric’ models available as they neatly bridge the gap between traditional internal combustion engines and electric motors without the ‘range anxiety’ that some motorists feel in relation to ‘full electric’ vehicles.

With over three generations’ experience in coach building and providing bespoke funeral vehicles to the funeral trade we are proud to say we are exclusively the first in the world to provide the Ford Deacon Hybrid Hearse and courtesy vehicle, the Ford Deacon Supreme. The Partnership 10 | FuneralTimes

that we have with Ford is one forged in longevity, commitment and support. This partnership has allowed us to deliver quality products through the generations without compromise. The innovation and development embarked on over the past two years has delivered an exceptionally user friendly Hearse to the trade and now with Ford suppling a Vignale Hybrid, the partnership has evolved.

Paul O’Sullivan, Director of Sales for Ford Ireland, said: “The new Mondeo HEV is the ideal vehicle to serve as a hearse, with the sleek looks of the latest version of the muchloved Mondeo, it is an attractive vehicle and with its dual electric and petrol engine, it can be depended upon to provide a quiet and smooth ride in the sensitive context of a funeral”.

The Deacon V Hybrid was made for the

Undertaker. Technology such as E. P. G. enables the delivery of a noiseless approach and departure which revolutionizes the way the Funeral Director conducts his business and funeral proceedings. The eradication of nasty fumes for those in the funeral procession is another milestone.

The deceased can now be laid to rest in a way that was never possible before. The Deacon V Hybrid enables the family to hold true to the beliefs and the wishes of their passed loved ones in providing the most eco friendly funeral services possible. The statement the Deacon Hybrid makes to the procession is a symbol of the importance of the environment that we live in and a lasting message that the deceased is able to instill

in people. In the hustle and bustle of today’s society, some time is needed, not simply to run with the norm. Be true to who you are and what you believe. There is no stronger message than the deceased having an eco friendly funeral in their final journey in life.

The supply of the Deacon V Hybrid, and the Deacon supreme, the Duel Hybrid system, is a commitment to containing your carbon foot print. With various methods of buying, leasing or hiring these vehicles, Byrne Coachcraft are keen to talk business.

Contact Byrne Coach Builders on (042) 93 34631 or email on info@byrnecoachbuilders.ie.

To view a video of the Deacon V Hybrid visit http://www.byrnecoachbuilders.ie/

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Obit

8 1 20 Update

T

his has been a very busy year for Obit with a number of larger Funeral Directors engaging with us and seeing the benefits that a cloud-based system can offer. At the end of June, the volume of funerals being recorded in Obit has more than doubled since last year and we are delighted that we haven’t had any performance issues with our technical setup.

As May 25th was the date for GDPR coming into force, we started earlier to review the operation to ensure that our platform allows our clients to be GDPR compliant.

While we didn’t find anything that absolutely had to be changed, we decided to err on the side of caution in strengthening our Security.

1. Data Security You may be aware that the data transmitted to the Obit application is encrypted (via SSL) - this ensures that communication between Funeral Director and Obit is secure and can not be intercepted and deciphered by 3rd parties. We have also now added two new security measures: 1. SSL encryption between the application (Obit) and it’s database - these are both housed in the same high security Amazon data centre in Dublin, so it’s highly unlikely to be breached, but we thought it best to take no chances.

2.Data encryption “at rest” - i.e. when it is stored on disk it is also encrypted.

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2. Auto Log-Out To ensure that third parties cannot access client data opportunistically by discovering an unattended device running Obit, we have introduced an auto log-out - this is set by default to 20 minutes.

We are also developing new reports and displays so that trends in preference for coffins and other merchandise can be spotted more easily and buying decisions supported. Similarly, we are bringing further improvements to our Editor so that the client has even more intuitive control over printed documents of all types.

We have added filters to the primary displays so that the client can very quickly drill down to get the dataset required, whether that be by Branch, Contact, Place, or Date Range - the results of these searches can then be printed or exported to CSV or Excel.

We are also working on further financial analysis and export options that will make it even easier to transmit data from Obit into financial packages, such as Xero, Sage and others.

We have been pleasantly surprised at the surge of interest and the much appreciated support of the current client base - this makes it easy for us to commit to continuing to develop and add features to Obit.

For more information, please contact Richard on +353 86 771 6099 or visit our website: www.obit.ie or email: sales@obit.ie

New delivery from Fearghas Quinn R. Gibney of Gibneys of Oldcastle Funeral Directors,Galway collectscollects his newthe hearse Fearghas Michael Grealish of O’Flaherty Funeral Directors, newfrom E-Class from Quinn Hearse and Limousines.

Fearghas Quinn Hearse & Limousines

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IAFD News

Education Committee Glasnevin Cemetery - Thursday 22nd March 2018 IAFD 2017-2018 Funeral Directing Certificate Award (FDCA) course Candidates complete their studies Candidates at the final day of the 2017/18 IAFD FDCA Education course which was held in Glasnevin hosted by Mervyn Conville, Deputy CEO, Glasnevin Trust.

During the past seven months over twenty funeral directors have undertaken and completed the first Funeral Director Certificate Award course created and presented by the IAFD. With all course material delivered it was time for the candidates to submit their end of year project work and experience the hospitality of Glasnevin Trust.

The final course day also included supplementary workshops delivered by: • Bryan Nolan (Irish Hospice Foundation) – ‘Staying well at work’ • Denis O’Connor & Sean McCarthy (MOCT Training & Consultancy) – ‘Mental Health, well-being and suicide prevention’ • Clodagh Curley (Anam Cara) - How their organisation provides support to bereaved parents 18 | FuneralTimes

IAFD News

Edwina Fitzgerald, 1st Vice president IAFD, Mervyn Conville, Grasnevin Trust, Mary Cunniffe, President IAFD

Mary Cunniffe, President, IAFD & Martin Thompson, Treasurer, IAFD

The day was completed by a guided tour of the recently renovated tower in Glasnevin Cemetery by Niall Bracken and Mervyn Conville.

IAFD is now seeking expressions of interest for the 2018/2019 course. Next year the course will be limited to a maximum of twenty candidates so booking will be taken on a “first comefirst served” basis. Readers are reminded that this course will benefit substantially from the generous financial and in kind support which Glasnevin Trust will again provide. We wish to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to Glasnevin Trust for their commitment to IAFD education in particular.

Expressions of interest should be sent to Joanne Cooney, Education Course Co-ordinator via education@iafd.ie.

Excellence Programme Visits - 2018 I AFD members are advised that they may be contacted by Board members seeking to arrange an “Excellence Visit”. Since the inception of the Excellence Programme which was created a number of years ago to improve standards and communication, all members have been visited by members of the Board.

Version 2 of the Programme commenced last year when almost thirty IAFD members

across the country were visited. This proved to be a very beneficial initiative which provided opportunities to engage with members, offer support and assistance, and address minor issues. Visits have been underway since March and will continue during 2018 from a random list of members produced by the IAFD Board.

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IAFD News Board Appointments M ary Cunniffe, President is delighted to announce that following a review of skills gaps the Board has recently co-opted Kieran Shovlin, Ardara, Co. Donegal.

Mary wishes Kieran every success on the Board as it continues to work on behalf of the members and is particularly pleased that the Board has again a member from the West of Ireland.

Kieran Shovlin

New members IAFD wishes to welcome the following new members: NEW FULL MEMBER: • Peter Duffy, Mullagh, Co. Cavan NEW ASSOCIATE MEMBER: • Colin Hodson (Civil Celebrant), Tallagh, Dublin

Why Join the IAFD? For just a little more than €1cent a day you get: • Professional Indemnity Insurance

• Code of Practice

• Membership of professional organisation recognised by the general public

• Access to IAFD Education Programme

• Unique all island network of funeral directors • Representation of members with Government, Local Authorities and Media • Funeral Directors led organisation for promoting and developing standards of funeral service

• Excellence Programme • Board of Funeral professionals available to assist Members • Dispute Resolution and Mediation • Legal Advisory Service • Links to other trade Associations

Applications for membership of IAFD: Please visit www.iafd.ie and download an Application Form.

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IAFD News Mary Cunniffe (President) Massey Bros Funeral Home Templeogue Village Dublin 6W Mobile: 085-8010742 Ph: 01-4907601 Email: mary.cunniffe@hotmail.com

Robert Fanagan (Chair - Membership & Excellence Committee) Fanagans 54, Aungier Street Dublin 2 Ph: 01-4754101 Email: robert@fanagans.ie

Edwina Fitzgerald (First Vice President) Fitzgeralds Funeral Directors Channel Road Rush Co. Dublin Ph: 0873512949 Email: edwinafitzgerald78@gmail.com

Colm Kieran (P.R.O & Chair Communications Committee) Kieran Bros. Funeral Directors Kingscourt, Co. Cavan Mobile: 087-6218740 Ph: 042-9667309 Email: colmkieran@gmail.com

John Foley (Immediate Past President) Jennings Funeral Directors 81 Amien Street Dublin 1 Ph: 01-8555511

Dermot McCarthy McCarthy’s Funeral Home Gurrane, Banteer, Cork.

Ph: 029-56044 Email: dermot@mccarthyfuneraldirectors. com

Dara Gillespie (Hon. Secretary) Finlays Funeral Service Tierney Street Ardee Co. Louth Mobile: 086 7923472 Email: dara.gillespie@finlaygrp.com Martin Thompson (Hon. Treasurer) Thompson Funeral Directors Chapel Hill Mount Hawkins Athy Co. Kildare Ph: 059-8632714 Email: thompsonfuneraldirectors@gmail.com

Tom Lawless Lawless Funeral Directors Mucklagh, Tullamore Co. Offaly Ph: 057-9322622 Email: info@tullamorefunerals.ie Kieran Shovlin Seamus Shovlin Funeral & Embalming Services Sandfield Ardara Co. Donegal Ph: 074-9541300 Email: kieran.shovlin@gmail.com

Donal Forde (Chair - Education Committee) Forde & Sons Funeral Home South Gate Bridge Cork Co Cork Ph: 021-4318222 Email: fordes@indigo.ie FuneralTimes | 21

IAFD News DIARY DATES FOR 2018 19th July 2018 Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone • Regional Training Workshop @ 2.30pm & Regional Meeting @ 5.30pm 20th September 2018 Firgrove Hotel, Mitchelstown • Regional Training Workshop @ 2.30pm & Regional meeting @ 5.30pm 24th November 2018 AGM & Dinner Dance - Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone

New delivery from Fearghas Quinn R. Gibney of Gibneys of Oldcastle Funeral Directors, his newHearse hearse from from Fearghas Fearghas Tommy Shivnan, Ballyfarnan, Roscommon with hiscollects new Mondeo QuinnHearse Hearse & and Limousines.

Quinn Limousines 22 | FuneralTimes

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TO FIND OUT MORE CALL: Joe Biesty - Republic of Ireland:

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Braemar Finance takes a look at challenges faced by the industry

By Aileen Boyle Funeral Directors in Ireland and the UK face many similar challenges yet can also differ on key issues. In this article I look at the views and thoughts of small to medium sized firms (SMEs) on a range of topics on both sides of the Irish Sea, which are obtained from our recent detailed survey of businesses in the professions sector.

Access to funding and appetite for investment Nearly two thirds of Irish Funeral Directors are finding it a challenge to access the funding they need to invest in their businesses, despite 75% planning to actively seek finance for business investment in the next 12 months (UK = 62%).

Only 13% in Ireland indicated that it’s ‘becoming easier’ and 25% saying they have never had a problem.

Q: Thinking about access to funding, is it...

A major challenge

A minor challenge

Becoming easier

Never had a problem

Don’t know

Region Ireland UK Ireland UK Ireland UK Ireland UK Ireland UK

Funeral 38% 25% 25% 48% 13% 10% 25% 14% 0% 3%

Economic outlook Funeral businesses in Ireland are best described as ‘cautiously optimistic’ about their prospects for the coming 12 months, with 38% feeling that while the worst is behind us, it will be a slow path to recovery; a further 38% feel that the economy could yet decline.

This contrasts strongly with the UK, where four out of 10 firms in the funeral sector are confident about the steady recovery of the economy.

Looking at expected performance, 25% are hoping to expand, with 50% expecting to ‘stay the same’; another 25% will be scaling down their operations.

Q: How do you expect your business to perform over the next 12 months?

Region Funeral

Expand Ireland 25%

UK 36%

Stay the same Ireland 50%

UK 61%

Contract Ireland 25%

UK 3%

Close down Ireland 0%

UK 0% FuneralTimes | 25

Business priorities Managing debt is the highest priority for 38% of Funeral Directors in Ireland (UK = 25%), which is the highest of all professions. ‘Achieving growth’ comes second followed by ‘standing still’.

It’s clear businesses in the funeral sector currently have different priorities, with expansion ambitions relegated in favour of more practical considerations.

Q: What is your main business priority at the moment?

Achieving growth

Paying down debts

Standing still

Developing products/services

Investing in staff

Investing in equipment/assets

Region Ireland UK Ireland UK Ireland UK Ireland UK Ireland UK Ireland UK

Funeral 25% 21% 38% 25% 25% 18% 0% 11% 12% 11% 0% 14%

Contact Braemar Finance for more information: Republic of Ireland: 086 772 7552 / Email info@braemarfinance.ie Northern Ireland: 01563 852100 / Email info@braemarfinance.co.uk

Delivery from Fearghas Quinn R. Gibney of Gibneys of Oldcastle Funeral Directors, collects his new hearse from Fearghas

Seamus and Eamonn Feehily, Seamus Feehily and Son Funeral Directors, Sligo collect their Quinn Hearse and Limousines.

Mondeo Hearse from Fearghas Quinn Hearse & Limousines 26 | FuneralTimes

Double Presidential honours for Massey Bros. Funeral Directors Dublin-based Massey Bros. Funeral Directors is this year celebrating a double presidential honour as two members of its team each take on the mantle as leaders of their respective industry bodies.

M

has seen her work on several ary Cunniffe, who is mass fatality disasters around manager of Massey Bros.’ the world. branch in Templeogue, was Congratulating Mary and recently installed as the President Barbara on their new roles, of the Irish Association of Funeral Massey Bros. managing Directors having served five years director Freddie Maguire said: as a board member. She was first “This is a real honour, not just introduced to the organisation for Mary and Barbara, but also during her time as regional for Massey Bros. and the entire support manager (Ireland) with team,” Golden Charter which was an “The company has long IAFD Associate Member. Once been committed to industry she joined Massey Bros. in 2008, excellence and we have Mary went on to complete the Mary Cunniffe always actively encouraged then newly introduced IAFD staff to undertake continuing Education Programme, earning an honours certificate in funeral practice. And, professional development and play an active part in engaging with and contributing to having attended IAFD meetings for several the work of our industry bodies. years, she was invited to become a board “To have not one, but two members of our member. team serve as Presidents in the one year is Massey Bros. embalmer Barbara Fowley a testament to the professionalism of both has also taken up the position of National Mary and Barbara, the esteem in which they President of the British Institute of are held within the funeral industry, and Embalmers, having already served as secretary of the organisation’s Irish Division, the respect they have earned amongst their peers. second vice-president and first vice“I would like to congratulate president. Barbara first joined both Mary and Barbara on their the organisation as a student positions and offer them every training to become a certified support as they represent and embalmer under Donegal-based lead our industry.”

BIE tutor Pat Harley. She was Since the company was first also the organiser of the Irish established in the 1930s, three Division’s first educational generations of the Massey family weekend attended by funeral have dedicated themselves to directors, embalmers and others looking after families and their closely involved in the funeral loved ones all over Dublin and industry. Barbara has also gained throughout Ireland. Today, the recognition for the volunteer company has nine branches and work she carries out with the employs some 30 people, half of support of Massey Bros. with whom are women.

Blake Emergency Services, which Barbara Fowley FuneralTimes | 27

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Northern Ireland councils debate children’s funeral fees

Discussions have been held across Northern Ireland’s councils concerning the waiving of some of the costs of a child’s funeral

T

he Belfast Telegraph recently covered a proposal made by a Belfast councillor regarding funeral fees. Following on from the decision taken by Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council to cover any costs associated with opening a grave at any of its cemeteries for grieving parents laying their child to rest, councillor Chris McGimpsey called for Belfast to swiftly follow suit.

This followed the success achieved by Julie Flaherty in Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council in having the £52 cost of opening a grave at all council-owned cemeteries for the burial of anyone aged 18 or under.

Mr McGimpsey's proposal, sought to see Belfast City Council cover entirely the charges and costs relating to those services for children up to the age of 18.

It is expected that council officials will examine current policies and, in time, return with options for consideration on how grieving parents may be assisted regarding their child’s funeral.

Councillor McGimpsey explained how “We

already don’t charge for children who are aged one year or under ... I understand the cost of this is not going to be extensive.

"Because Belfast City Council also has a crematorium, we will be considering the cost of cremation as well.

“I look upon it as giving the ratepayers of Belfast the opportunity to sympathise with parents who have lost young children.

My proposal is supported by the Ulster Unionists and I would hope the other parties would fall in behind it too.”

The proposal was put to the council’s People and Communities Committee, with similar proposals being made at a number of other councils across Northern Ireland, including Newry, Mourne and Down; Mid and East Antrim; Lisburn and Castlereagh; Ards and North Down; Antrim and Newtownabbey, and Causeway Coast and Glens.

English councils similarly see the cost of a child’s funeral waived under a scheme supported by the Prime Minister.

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Coleman Milne Northern Ireland and Scotland: Tony Kerr 07860 586850 Coleman Milne Sales Manager: Graham Clow 07860 380450

Byrne Coachbuilders Ltd Coes Road, Dundalk, Co. Louth, Republic of Ireland 2IÃ&#x20AC;FH

Sales Manager: Joe Leech +353 86 604 1227 Managing Director: Peadar Byrne +353 85 101 8385

BIE News New BIE National President I find myself privileged to have been installed as National President of the British Institute of Embalmers, at the 89th AGM and Conference held in Market Bosworth in April, and I am delighted to have Mr Anthony Williams Price as my Consort for the year ahead.

Why I became an embalmer and member, I can only let you know a Member of The British Institute what being a member of the Of Embalmers!

BIE has done for me, through A little insight as to why I the years. As a student I never choose the embalming profession missed our divisional quarterly as a career, as we all know, the meeting, by attending these professional description or meetings, I was able to meet explanation for the embalming supportive, friendly helpful process is to disinfect, preserve embalmers, this gave me the and present the deceased for confidence that I was not alone, their final viewing. But to me I had the support of other and most embalmers. It is a members if needed. After I got whole lot more, it is to restore my BIE membership certificate, dignity to the deceased that has I was then eligible to join Blake Barbara Fowley been intrusted into my care, we Emergency Services as part daily come across deceased that may have of their mortuary team, I was extremely suffered, in their last few days of life, that lucky to have gained the experience of may have battled a long term illness or working in a temporary mortuary, on a were involved in a fatal accident, to be able mass fatality for Blakes, that experience to rid their face of suffering and restore it has been invaluable to my career, especially to their natural beauty, that brings some for working on very badly decomposed comfort to the surviving family that their cases, and tragic accidents. One of the loved one is finally at peace, and their pain most important aspects of my membership and suffering is gone. This itself is why I love has been education, I have been given, as this profession, knowing that I am helping every member has had, the opportunity families, at the most difficult and emotional to attend many educational sessions, days time of their life. There is no greater job and weekends, these have made me the satisfaction.

Embalmer I am today. If you come away from an educational event and have learned Our Institute â&#x20AC;&#x153;The British Institute of one new piece of information that will help Embalmersâ&#x20AC;? you carry out our work to a higher standard, I often get asked what does the Institute then it has been very worthwhile. I firmly do for me? Unfortunately, I am unable to believe that we need to attend as many answer that question for each individual educational events as possible, this enables 32 | FuneralTimes

us to keep up to date with techniques and new products which helps us provide a service of excellence on every case we work on. I would not be where I am today in my career if it was not for the BIE. I am really looking forward to visiting all our divisions throughout the year, also attending our kindred associations events, that I have been invited to, I hope many of

our paths cross throughout the year ahead.

If you have any issues, or need help in any way please contact me, and I will do my very best to help. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to represent the members and students of our Institute.

Kind Regards

Barbara Fowley MBIE National President

Ireland Division Hi all, first of all, a big thank you to everybody who attended our last meeting. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sure youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll agree it was another very productive gathering and it was a privilege to have our national president sitting at the top table.

Also a very big congratulations to Sarah Hefernan who received her certificate and to Claudie Mahony who received the Sheila Dicks Cup. Also congratulations to Niamh Cusack who received her cert at our previous meeting.

Our next meeting will be a very exciting occasion as we are joining our northern Irish friends in the Dunsilly Hotel in the beautiful Co. Antrim for a joint meeting and what is turning out to be an extremely interesting educational weekend with a social evening on the Saturday. This will be held on the weekend of October 13th.

We would encourage as many members to attend as there are going to be some very significant speakers. Further details will follow in the next edition and in the minutes which will be circulated beforehand.

Finally, I hope you are all keeping well and am looking forward to seeing you all very soon.

Claudie Mahony received the Sheila Dicks Cup

Cyril Gantley

Niamh Cusack receiving her certificate

Sarah Hefernan receiving her certificate FuneralTimes | 33

List of BIE Officers and appointed representatives for 2018/2019 National President: Barbara Fowley MBIE Imm. Past President: Amanda Woodward MBIE 1st Vice President: Dr. Phil Gore MBIE phil.gore@yahoo.co.uk National PRO & National General Secretary: Mrs Karen Caney FBIE White Meadow Cottage, Brailsford, Derby DE6 3DA Tel: 01332 349035(BIE) Mobile: 07786 432014 karencaney@btopenworld.com National Treasurer: Michael Liddle MBIE 10 Yew Tree Close, Silsoe MK45 4EQ Business Tel: 01582 490005 Home Tel: 01525 860117 michael@silsloe.wanadoo.co.uk Editor: Gwen Schofield MBIE 9 Seymour Walk, Meltham, Holmfirth HD9 4BP Home Tel: 01484 851994 Mobile: 07778 279100 gwen.schofield@ntlworld.com Master Fellow: David Kaye MBIE Student Liaison Officer: Lizzy Bollington-Kinch Anubis House, 21c Station Road, Knowle, Solihull B93 0HL, Tel: 01564 778 991

34 | FuneralTimes

IRISH DIVISION Chairman Mr.Cyril Gantley MBIE 336 Kildare Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12 Mobile:00353 857671582 cyril.gantley@mortuary-science.ie Vice Chairman Mr.Shane Casey MBIE Gortnabinna, Ballingeary, Macroom, Co.Cork.

Mobile: 00353 860744117 info@caseyfunerals.ie Secretary Susan Moran MBIE Maydown House, Aughraboura, Athy, Co.Kildare.

Mobile: 00353 860619500 moransfuneralservices@gmail.com National Council Rep Mr.John Hawe MBIE 12 Meadow Vale, Smith’s Road, Charleville, Co.Cork Mobile: 00353 876390087 jmhawe@eircom.net

NORTHERN IRELAND DIVISION Chairman & 2nd National Council Representative Laurence O'Neill 98 Stewartstown Road Belfast BT11 9JP Tele: 028 90 620099 Email: oneill8210@hotmail.com Treasurer Andrew McMullan MBIE 22 High Street, Ballymoney, Co. Antrim BT53 6AQ Andrew@mcmullanfunerals.com 1st National Council Representative Ellison Sloan MBIE Telephone: 02838 336175 poots@fsni.info 1st National Educational Committee Representative Stephen Shields James Brown & Sons, 300 Newtownards Road, Belfast Tele: 028 9045 1021 jamesbrownandsons@fsni.info

2nd National Council Rep and Educational Rep Pamela Murphy MBIE 14 Parknasillogue Court, Enniskerry, Co.Wicklow Mobile:00353 857415421

2nd National Educational Committee Representative Pat Harley MBIE 67 Creggan Road, Londonderry BT48 9DA Mobile: 077128 99137

Treasurer Mrs Anna O’Reilly MBIE Church Street, Newmarket, Co.Cork Tel:02960142 annaoreilly4@hotmail.com

Divisional Secretary Elizabeth Douglas 3 Rathlin Crest, Ballymena BT43 5JA Mobile: 07483 178508 Email: izzydouglas31@gmail.com

Phschoolofembalming@hotmail.com

The Jaundice Case

By Karl Wedzel CFSP MBIE Karl is the Coordinator of Technical Education and Training for the Dodge Company. He worked for the Arbor Group (largest independent funeral service chain in Canada) for six years as their Manager of Decedent Care and Preparational Development. Karl has been a licensed embalmer since 1997 and is licensed in Ontario. He is the Fountain National Academy Canadian Ambassador. Karl Wenzel, CFSP, MBIE

I

f there is one thing for certain about our profession as embalmers, it is that nothing is getting any easier. It seems that every time I go into the prep room there is another challenging case waiting for me, one that I still learn from.

Maybe it’s just me, but those little old men and women that die quietly at home are becoming more scarce. Everyone seems to be loaded up with medications and living in a prolonged medical state that wreaks havoc on the body.

Never mind the initial illness, the medications in today’s world are extremely harsh on the internal organs and vasculatory system.

I have a close friend battling an illness right now and he said to me just the other week, “It’s those damn medications that just about killed me.” We are all thankful he is recovering nicely, but these medications certainly are not making our jobs easier.

An experience this past weekend was a good example of the difficulties we face.

We had a young man at the funeral home that was as jaundiced as I think a human body can get. He had been extremely ill and, in speaking to his family, we learned the medications he took for his cancer had destroyed his liver. The initial cancer was gone, however, his liver never recovered, which in turn caused him a lengthy additional battle which he was unable to win. It was a sad situation but not as uncommon as we may think. Often these medications we take can cause additional complications within our bodies, that like in this situation, may not have a desirable outcome. Too often the choice between treatment and a lack of treatment may have the same end result.

This young man was a good size gentleman,

about 270 pounds. He was a solid guy with some moderate edema in his legs, but overall he was just a big guy. He had several puncture holes in his arms and neck from medical procedures, but the most noticeable abnormality, outside of being severely jaundiced, was his distended abdominal cavity. The poor man’s abdomen was so massively distended it looked like he was going to “pop” any moment. I knew immediately we would have to puncture the abdominal wall to release some fluids even before we began embalming.

Once I had him unshrouded and disinfected with a heavy spray down of Dis-Spray, I took a scalpel and punctured the abdominal wall in the location where I would later aspirate from. A large amount of yellow ascites immediately vacated his abdominal area. With the help of a large, straight forceps moving around inside the small incision and some manual pressure on the abdominal cavity, we were able to release a significant amount of internal pressure.

This would only aid us when we began our arterial injection by removing that heavy extravascular pressure. The area and remains were then washed down completely using a germicidal soap. There were a lot of “crusties” around the eyes that with some water and soap we were able to gently remove. The lips were flaky and scabbing, so they were also gently washed and the loose skin was removed. The scabs were attached more firmly to the lips and not wanting to come off as easily. I took some cotton Webril and soaked it in some Restorative and wrapped the lips to soak for a time while I did other things.

FuneralTimes | 35

The Restorative will soften the scabs, allowing us to remove them later, which we did. Once the remains were washed I continued with the disinfection of the eyes, nose, and mouth with Dis-Spray. There was a significant amount of mucous in the nasal and throat area so this took some time and effort. It’s imperative we remove and clean these areas as best we can so bacterial growth doesn’t overcome our work later and change the tissue to an undesirable state.

Bacteria reproduces at an alarming rate and, if not slowed down or halted, the bacterial growth will work against the formaldehyde preservative and cause the tissue to turn colour and break down, resulting in odor and even decay.

When our disinfecting was complete, the eyes were closed using eye caps and Kalip Stay Cream. The nose, mouth, and throat were packed with cotton. The cotton that was placed in the throat and mouth received about 30cc of Penetrating Dryene via a controlled application using a hypodermic syringe. This was because the tissue inside the mouth was already breaking down and it had a lot of sloughing of skin on the inner side of the cheeks. The mouth was then closed using a musculature suture.

The remains were positioned and set on body blocks to minimize the pressure points on the surface of the back and to aid in chemical distribution. With the tissue being as yellow as it was and because the family had informed us of the harsh, prolonged medications this man had taken, I knew that the colour of his skin was a small issue, considering the evident nitrogenous waste built up in his body that would only neutralize the chemicals 36 | FuneralTimes

we would introduce. We knew there was a shortfall of serum albumin which is the main protein in human blood plasma. With the lack of albumin and its properties of binding the calcium, potassium, bilirubin, and pharmaceutical drugs in the body to transport to the liver for breakdown and disposal, I knew that we needed to use a much stronger chemical solution to overcome these obstacles.

You see all these undesirables were in overload within this body, resulting in an increased demand for higher concentration of preservatives and accessory chemicals. I wanted complete control of the chemicals that were going to be introduced into the head so we began with a restricted cervical injection. The biggest fear of most embalmers is changing the bilirubin to the biliverdin green. I heard the best quote by a colleague of mine at a Dodge Seminar in Atlantic City earlier this year. Matt Black, a Dodge sales representative in Pennsylvania, said “preservation before colorization.” It is such a true statement. We can cover any undesirable colour with a good cosmetic application, but we will have an impossible task trying to cover spoiled, unembalmed odorous tissue. Using a restricted cervical injection, we can control what chemicals are allowed to pass up into the head. There will be some contributory vessels that will allow small amounts of arterial fluid to pass by, but it is the most effective method for an embalmer to control the volume and type of chemical allowed into the head.

With both right and left carotids raised and ready for injection, I made up a strong solution to inject the head first. It was here I ran into an issue. My solution consisted

of 16 oz. Proflow, 16 oz. Rectifiant, 16 oz.

Introfiant OTC, and I was hoping to add at least 3oz. of Icterine Regular dye to the mix. However, there was none in stock at this particular funeral home. The Icterine Regular is an important ingredient in preventing that bilirubin from staining the outer tissue that horrid green as it chemically changes to biliverdin. If we can stain the tissue a reddish color before it changes over to the green, we can create of great base for a lighter application of cosmetics. Unfortunately, with Icterine Regular unavailable, I was forced to use Icterine Tan. In jaundice cases over the years I haven’t had much success using the tan color Icterine. For whatever reason, it just doesn’t cover or mask the green as well and prevent it coming through to the surface of the tissue. But with no other option, I added 10 oz. Icterine Tan to my solution. The head was injected pulsating at 160 lbs. pressure with my rate of flow being only about 2-4 oz. per minute. I was determined to force that chemical deep into the tissue, preventing that colour change with the high dye content. Following the injection there was very little change in colour of the tissue. You could see some of the tan colouring coming into the ears but little, if any, into the face itself. I knew that head was going to be well preserved, but I was afraid of the tissue changing colour overnight to the infamous green.

The body was then first injected with a mixture of 32 oz. Proflow, 32 oz. Rectifiant, 32 oz. Introfiant OTC, 16 oz. Dis Spray and another 10 oz. of Icterine Tan. We received some good distribution everywhere with the nail beds changing and even the heels of the feet turning the tan colour. I didn’t feel that we had enough preservation yet as there was some moderate edema in the legs and hips so I created a second injection of 32 oz. Proflow, 32 oz. Rectifiant and 40oz.

Introfiant OTC with 8 oz. Humeglo, 8 oz.

Edemaco and 16 oz. Icterine Tan. It was a huge amount of dye for any case, but I wanted to see if I could change that tissue colour more dramatically. Even that tan colour is a more “normal” tissue colour than green!!

I was somewhat amazed that after my high pressured injection of 160 lbs. with a rate of flow of 10-12 oz. per minute that the tissue didn’t change colour dramatically. The only locations on the body that we could really see the tan colouring pull through was the nail beds, the heels of the feet, and the stretch marks on the abdominal wall this man had. Don’t forget he was a big man. But I was happy with the preservation qualities. The remains received excellent distribution. Firming of the tissue was moderate but with his body size, and not being a muscular individual, that was expected. Aspiration was immediate as there was a large amount of distention in his abdominal area, as you may remember, and we wanted all that nitrogenous waste removed as much and as quickly as possible.

A considerable amount was vacated and the abdominal area returned to a more normal appearance. We injected 32 oz. of Dri Cav into the abdominal and thoracic cavity. The remains were washed and cleaned and I applied Blonde Kalon Massage Cream to the face and hands. The remains were not to be ready for two days so I wanted the Kalon Cream to aid in preventing dehydration because we did use stronger chemicals than normal.

I returned two days later to help dress and cosmetize this man. I was somewhat disappointed that the remains did turn a bit greenish but certainly not like it would have been had we not used the high concentration of dye. The face had a slight greenish hue but was well-embalmed and looked great feature-wise. The body itself had some areas of a stronger green colour than ideal, but the hands looked good and again the remains were well embalmed. The edema had come down and the tissue itself firmed up nicely.

Overall I think our end results were great.

Had Icterine Regular been available that end result may have been better.

Red colouring is a stronger, more natural colour within all our bodies. I have never in the past used such a high concentration of arterial dye as I did on this case, a total of 36 oz. of Icterine Tan in addition to the 280 oz. of arterial and accessory chemicals. No water was added to any FuneralTimes | 37

mixture. Most embalmers would think that to be an absurd amount of both chemical and dye for one case. I probably would have agreed years ago but in today’s world these pharmaceutical drugs create a real problem for embalmers and stronger, higher concentrations of preservative chemicals are needed. Even though I would have preferred Icterine Regular in this situation we made the tan colour work as best we could.

Remember Matt’s saying “preservation over colourization”!!

The interesting thing was this individual wasn’t dressed in clothing. The family wanted his remains shrouded and casketed in a nice hardwood. They only wished to identify the remains and have a closed casket service. Cosmetics were completed and he looked good, all things considered. A little more cosmetics were needed than we liked, but it was a good outcome in the end. The family viewed and were pleased with the way he looked. We followed through with their wishes and closed the casket and had the service. It was an interesting case to be

38 | FuneralTimes

involved in, from the jaundice colour to the complicating factors within the remains that made embalming more challenging. It was a “step out of the box” approach from our chemical choices and the high dye content to the shrouding and casketing. I learned things from this case and as an embalmer that’s important.

Every day is a new experience and a new challenge. Embrace those challenges.

Change with them, adapt and serve our families the best way we know how.

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: Shepherds Funeral Supplies, Unit 2A Royal Canal Business Park, Athlone Road, Co. Longford.

Ph. 00353 43 3349702/00353 87 2486668

New delivery from Fearghas Quinn R. Gibney of Gibneys of Oldcastle Funeral Directors, collects his new hearse from Fearghas

John, David and Pauline from Halligan Funeral Directors, Carlow, collect their new E-Class Quinn Hearse and Limousines. from Fearghas Quinn Hearse & Limousines

e Availablle r e th o in colourss

www.creativebinder.com FuneralTimes | 39

The new Mercedes Hearse

New Mercedes for F. Martin & Sons Funeral Directors D

ungannon based F. Martin & Sons have selected a new Coleman Milne Mercedes Hearse.

F. Martin & Sons is a family business operating as both a funeral directors and memorial masons. They have been serving the Dungannon and surrounding areas with care and compassion since being founded by Fred Martin in the 1960’s. Now in their 6th decade of service, the established company is run by brothers Keith and John Martin who have taken

40 | FuneralTimes

the business from strength to strength.

John said “We’re very happy with our new Mercedes E213; Coleman Milne have given every attention to detail with this vehicle.”

The Mercedes E213 is fitted with leather seating, coffin illumination lights, coverboards and a wreath rail for adorning the vehicle with flowers and tributes.

This model was launched at last years National Funeral Exhibition and has received excellent reviews for its timeless styling and elegance.

Through our own personal experience we received the inspiration to set up Treasured Keepsakes, to give people a wide variety of options upon a loved oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s passing should they choose to keep a lock of hair, cremated remains, a piece of jewellery, a photograph or anything that is a personal reminder of their loved one in a small keepsake, keepsake pendant or urn.

Funeral directors we are currently working with have tailored our service to suit their needs. We have two options of how our service can work for you.

If you wish you can buy our products from us at a wholesale price and sell them directly to your clients.

Alternatively we can offer this service to your clients directly.

We would hope that by recommending our service we will enhance and add value to your business at no extra 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 FuneralTimes | 41

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NEW LAUNCH Danny Morning, a well known face across the industry, through his work with funeral directors across Ireland, with Morning’s Print-APlate Ltd., recently unveiled his latest offering – Funeral Foto.

M

orning’s Print-A-Plate Ltd. have served the industry throughout Ireland and further afield for a number of years, offering a wide range of attractive and durable markers, coffins and plates which can bring a touch of class.

Danny Morning’s new idea is to allow any funeral director to have the deceased’s photo on a plate completed in approximately one hour, 7 days a week, without leaving the office. Put simply, the service enables funeral directors to upload a photograph of the deceased along with a brief description, either via phone, computer or tablet. Funeral Directors can send any snap which the family provides and Danny and

44 | FuneralTimes

his team will digitally enhance the image and then organise the received information before returning it in a simple Microsoft Word file, ready for printing. The funeral director simply prints onto the vinyl sheet and applies this to the plate as normal using the Print-A-Plate system.

This is the first of its kind worldwide for the simple yet effective system.

For more information on Funeral Foto or any other products, please contact: Danny Morning on T: 074 9129366 E: funeralfoto@gmail.com or visit: www.funeralfoto.com

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Have a photo of the deceased completed on a plate in approximately one hour. Leave your photo as it is or you can choose one of our backgrounds to enhance it.

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PEAI News Hotel Kilmore, Cavan

T

he General meeting of The Professional Embalmers Association of Ireland took place on Saturday 16th June 2018 in Hotel Kilmore, Cavan.

The meeting started off with our educational talk by Dr Peter Kelehan (Paediatric/Perinatal Pathologist).

Peter gave a very interesting talk which Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sure the members will benefit from

throughout their career in embalming.

The meeting continued with plenty of discussion. The presentation of certificates were presented to Mr Ollie Fallon and Henry Kelly, congratulations!

The next meeting will take place in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary in October (date to be arranged).

Ollie Fallon receiving his certificate

Henry Kelly receiving his certificate

46 | FuneralTimes

www.professionalembalmers.ie

FuneralTimes | 47

Our Crematorium, Facilities and Remembrance Garden are available 7 days a week to accommodate Families and Funeral Directors (no weekend surcharge)

Memorial Memoria aall Keepsakes es We also have a large supply of urns, casks es. and keepsakes.

Lakelands Crematorium, Dublin Rd, Cavan, Co. Cavan Tel: 049 4362200 / mob: 086 2458489 email: info@LakelandsCrematorium.ie www.LakelandsCrematorium.ie

Lakelands Crematorium move to Biogas

Cremation is one of the cheapest forms of departure approved and regulated within the western world, however the green house gas emissions and use of fossil fuels do not sit easily with those less behind.

A

t Lakelands we feel passionately about acting ethically and doing our bit for the environment whilst still delivering a quality service, therefore we have decided to switch from regular gas to biogas.

Biogas is identical to regular gas in regards to what it can be used for but is made only from renewable sources, as well as being stored and delivered in the same way as regular gas. Biogas reduces emissions by up to 80% and is an extremely versatile fuel.

The use of Biogas within the crematorium will not change or interfere with the performance of the burners in any way, while Biogas may be fraction more expensive than its regular gas counterpart the additional costs are most certainly worth it.

Lakelands Crematorium understands the deep-rooted importance of progressing towards being a more environmentally friendly business, not only does it benefit the environment but its important for those

considering cremation to know that the service will be carried out in the most efficient and environmentally considerate of ways.

The implementation of biogas within the crematorium will come into play almost immediately as we are keen to be as progressive as possible and continue to improve our environmental standards within the industry. We believe the use of Biogas may make environmentally conscious individuals reconsider their own funeral plan or those of a loved one as cremations carried out with biogas are more often than not a cheaper alternative to the traditional funeral but now are quite possibly more environmentally friendly.

FuneralTimes | 49

50 | FuneralTimes

The Express Service F

unerals in Ireland usually happen quickly, or as one commentator put it, ‘with undue haste.’ This can cause problems for Funeral Directors when trying to put all the elements together and additional problems can be caused by Bank Holidays, where a funeral which should have been held on the Monday has to be brought forward to the Saturday.

This happened recently where a family did not want to hold off over the weekend until the Tuesday and wanted a Civil Ceremony for their father to be held on the Saturday afternoon. The Funeral Director involved contacted Mary Elizabeth Dillon of Civil Funerals Ireland to ask her to organise the service. He got a shock to find out that she was in Portugal on holiday but luckily was flying home that day, (Friday) and could look after matters. Mary Elizabeth takes up the story, ‘I was just about to leave for the airport when I got the call explaining the circumstances and once the family were happy to have phone and email contact with me we were all happy to go ahead, much to the relief of the Funeral Director.’ While on the phone to the family from the airport I got the news that my plane was delayed so I pressed ahead and made arrangements

for the service. It was a long phone call but I was able to give the family all the information they needed and get them set up and working on choosing music and other elements of the service. The family were fantastic and by the time I landed in Dublin and spoke to them again, music had been chosen, and they were working on an email giving me details of the man’s life and things were moving along nicely. I made it home and got to work on the laptop and by midnight the service was complete and ready for the next day.

On the Saturday the funeral went on without a hitch, the music was lovely and the words poignant and touching and the family were relieved to have had the service on the Saturday and not have to wait over the weekend. Mary Elizabeth chatted with the Funeral Director and they both remarked that it is ‘amazing what you can do under pressure.’

On reflection, Mary Elizabeth says that the family were so good and so focussed it made her job easy and that while it is great to have time to consider and discuss, this express service shows what can be done in a limited number of hours.

Civil Funerals Ireland Simple, unique, personal funeral services

• An alternative to the traditional • Celebrating Life • Reflecting the wishes and beliefs of the deceased and their loved ones • Provides an opportunity to pay a fitting tribute • Any suitable venue can be used

Mary Elizabeth Dillon is available between 9am - 11pm 7 days a week Tel ROI: 0402 91273 / Mobile: 087 957 4476 Email: info@civilfuneralsireland.com

Funerals conducted throughout Ireland

FuneralTimes | 51

UK to have two reviews of funeral prices The UK has launched not one but two reviews into the price of funerals.

And, according to the BBC, this was the reason Dignity’s share price fell by 14% at the time of the announcement.

But does the funeral industry have anything to be concerned about? And how much will any recommendations coming out of the reviews impact here in Ireland?

T

he Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is reviewing funeral costs, “to ensure that people are not getting a bad deal”, while the Treasury is focusing on concerns over pre-paid funeral plans.

A somewhat negative choice of words from the CMA to start with, but the piece then helpfully breaks down the ‘typical’ costs.

“Were you to buy the parts of a funeral separately, rather than as a plan, these would be the typical costs - although they can vary significantly in different parts of the UK: Moving deceased to Chapel of Rest £99; hearse and chauffeur £315; coffin £275 to £1,500 or more; minister or officiant fee £148; funeral director’s professional fees £1,000 to £1,500 Cremation costs: Cremation fee £660;

52 | FuneralTimes

cremation urn £200; ash plot £450; doctor’s fees (not payable in Scotland) £164 Burial costs: Interment fee (grave-digging and backfilling for a single depth grave) £150 to £1,734; burial plot cost £280 to £5,000 or more; stone memorial £800 to £1,200 or more Optional costs: Embalming £136 to £165; limousine and chauffeur £305; flowers £151; order of service sheets £72; church service £98 to £149; catering £397 Source: Fairer Finance”.

While the variances between large cities and rural funerals mean the figures quoted won’t be recognizable to many, the overriding impression might be that the direct costs for burials and cremations and the optional items make up a significant

proportion of the £3,800 average funeral cost in 2017 which the CMA are investigating.

The CMA intends to publish an interim report in six months’ time, with a final report coming six months after that.

In a second review, the Treasury is focusing on concerns over pre-paid funeral plans.

Some consumer groups are worried that those who pay for funerals in advance could leave their relatives facing extra costs after they die.

The Treasury is considering tougher regulation of pre-paid funerals and is to open a consultation process.

“People can understandably be very emotionally vulnerable when planning a funeral, said Daniel Gordon, senior director of markets at the CMA. “We therefore think it is important that - at what can be a particularly challenging time the process is made as easy as possible.”

Consumer group Fairer Finance have suggested that the Financial Conduct Authority should play a role in regulating pre-paid funeral plans.

“This announcement is only the start of the process, but it sends a clear message to those companies who are not acting responsibly that now is the time to clean up or exit the market,” said Fairer Finance managing director James Daley.

“People who buy funeral plans are not around to measure delivery against their expectations, which is why it is so important there are clear rules around how companies must behave.”

Currently, regulation chiefly falls under the Funeral Planning Authority (FPA), which has limited powers to punish abuses.

The FPA is said to be confident that the review would prove the effectiveness of its work. Regulation by others would lead to less choice, higher costs and “a less dedicated oversight of the market”.

“We continue to raise awareness among customers about how important it is to buy a funeral plan from an FPA registered provider. Only these providers will have undergone stringent checks and will be operating to an agreed set of standards, designed to protect the customer."

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The ICCFA 2018 Annual Convention took place in sunny Las Vegas!

By Jennifer Muldowney I love coming to the ICCFA and the NFDA annual conventions because twice a year, every year, the funeral professionals gather to educate, innovate, network, eat, drink and rarely sleep! It is always a chance to catch up with old friends and make some new ones in the process! I even got to catch a few shows with friends while I was in town too which was great, considering Vegas is THE go-to spot for any show!

Sadly, innovation at this year’s show, along with attendance, was slow and seriously lacking.

I was hard pushed trying to year, we had Phyll The Love. find something new to report The company was set up when SongPods of on. There were SongPods the proprietor found herself Solace of Solace which contain limited according to Jewish cremated remains, locks of hair/fur or customs to throw something onto her feathers of a loved one. They are handmade mother’s coffin as it was being lowered into and comprise a musical memorial. Shake the ground. A series of hurried questions them and hold to your ear to hear a unique to the rabbi later and colourful sand was chime! the chosen love token! She now provides Then there are commemorative beautiful little bottles of coloured sand that rosary beads which are made from flowers funeral directors or family members can - from a wedding, a funeral, a birthday hand out to graveside goers to toss onto or anything. A good way to both ‘recycle’ the casket in lieu of flowers. Innovative flowers and keep a memorial of the date. and creative? Yes, however, when I asked a Lastly, a very girly innovative find this number of my followers on Instagram their thoughts on usage, the result was a resounding NOPE. Ah well.

Other interesting things to note from the show was innovation in marketing or lack thereof. According to big players Funeral One and their attendees, marketing remains to be a funeral homes biggest challenge. People WERE trying though, with Virtual Reality games happening and a giant colouring board to name a few fun things I spotted. I think we need to look at marketing for the industry from these people’s perspectives and stop burying our heads in the, even colourful, sand! Marketing Funerals, not an easy task, but an imperative one?

Phyll The Love

FuneralTimes | 55

Join the association thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading the way.

Representing and promoting the interests of 850 independent funeral directors.

SAIF is at the forefront of tackling the big industry issues that matter to you.

As the united voice of independent funeral directors we have led the way in setting the highest standards of professionalism and conduct within the industry. By joining SAIF you too can demonstrate that you uphold this same commitment.

For over 25 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.

Join SAIF now: visit saif.org.uk or call us on 0345 230 6777 or 01279 726 777

SAIF NEWS ... SAIF NEWS ...

The Tigers Rugby Club will once again host the Education Day

Education Day 31st October 2018 F

ollowing on last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s successful education day, SAIF have booked the same venue being Leicester Tigers Rugby Club in Leicester.

Guest speakers have already been confirmed. For further information and to book your place please visit the SAIF website www.saif.org.uk.

Member Communication

I

n this time of digital intervention, SAIF is seeking to communicate to its members more via email, the SAIF website, and across social media platforms.

It is therefore important, more so than ever before, to ensure that we hold the correct email address for your business so you do not miss out on important communications.

Your email address is also used to enable you to access the secure memberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s area.

As part of this process and in line with GDPR, we have sent to all of our members Data Consent Forms which we would be grateful if you could complete and return back to the SAIF Business Centre, if you have not already done so.

This will not only ensure that your contact details are correct but will enable us to update contact preferences.

We will continue to send information by post to those for whom this is a preference.

Managing World Cup Fever (14th June to 15 July 2018) H

ow do you effectively manage employee that are gripped by World Cup Fever?

This year most of the matches will commence at 11.00am which could cause fraudulent sickness absence or even drinking at work.

Unless your employees have a contractual break time set out in their employment contracts, you can set the time a break is taken and insist on staggered lunch times.

In relation to drinking you should be prohibiting this altogether during work hours. If you receive requests from staff to leave early, it is your prerogative whether to agree this but you must ensure that you offer this to all staff irrespective if they want to leave early to watch the game!

Some companies may wish to offer sweepstakes. Remember there are rules concerning this in relation to the Gambling Act 2005: FuneralTimes | 57

• A workplace sweepstake must not be run for profit • Prize monies must not be allowed to roll over • Non-employees are not allowed to participate

• Cannot be run over different branches or multiple worksites See the HR Resource Centre in the members’ area for workplace sweepstake rules. A list of the World Cup Fixtures can be found at https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/

TO END… I have been in the post for a year now – how the time has flown!

It has been an exciting year for me in learning about the funeral profession, organising my first NFE, Education Day and AGM Banquet Weekend. I would like to thank Terry Tennens, Chief Executive, and Sam, Corinne and Angela, as well as all those who have supported me throughout this year. I look forward to many more years working for SAIF and its members.

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• We offer both Distance Learning g and attended courses leading to o membership of the British Institute of Embalmers For further information and to discuss how this course might work for you please contact us: 58 | FuneralTimes

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W W

W W

The New Volvo S90 Limousine arriving at AL & G Abbott

New S90 Volvo Limousine for AL & G Abbott

A

L & G Abbott are a small, independently owned funeral directors who are proud to have served the local community for over 180 years and will continue to do so with the highest standards of care.

Pippa and Father Peter were delighted to receive the New Volvo Limousine to complement their existing fleet of Volvos. It comes with a high specification including

satellite navigation, Bluetooth, DAB stereo, daytime running lights, cruise control, alloy wheels, climate control. Abbotts chose Volvos for their size, style, reliability and value for money.

Wilcox Limousines would like to thank Pippa and Peter for valued business and wish them and their team every success with their new vehicle.

Jaguar fleet for JW Binks Funeral Directors J W Binks Funeral Directors have just taken delivery of their first Jaguar Fleet from Wilcox Limousines Limited.

Dating back to 1870, J W Binks is the longest established family owned and run Funeral Directors in Morley and the surrounding area. The business has since grown with the acquisition of G A Marshall & Son, and Joseph Barras Funeral Directors.

Richard joined the firm in 1980, and has run it since 1991. The family business is now in its 6th Generation with Richardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Son, Alexander, joining in 2005. Professional funeral directors, they are members of the NAFD. In 2007 Richard joined the British Institute of Civil funerals and has been able to offer Civil Ceremonies for clients ever since. In 1994, the business moved to its current location, Park House. The premises went through a complete refurbishment in 2015 as part of the ongoing investment in the business.

The vehicles that Richard and Alex chose

The new fleet came with a high specification including satellite navigation, air suspension, DAB stereo, cruise control, luxury leather, reverse camera and heated seats. The Large deck area in the hearse is lit by LED lighting both above the deck and from the deck up the side of the coffin area.

Wilcox Limousines Limited would like to thank Richard and Alex for their custom and wish them every success with their new fleet.

FuneralTimes | 59

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New delivery from Duffy Coachbodies

R

amon Massey & Son Funeral Directors recently opted to refresh their fleet with a new Hearse and matching Limousine.

Ramon Massey spoke with Gerard Duffy on how he was looking forward to the impact the new vehicles will make to his

growing business in an ever so competitive environment which is increasingly demanding the highest levels of services.

Duffy Coachbodies would like to wish Ramon every success for the future with the new vehicles.

New fleet from Duffy

S

imon Hope received the very first fleet of Selenite Grey Metallic vehicles based on the latest Mercedes E-Class 213 Series.

Simon and Susan Hope’s previous three fleets have all been supplied by Duffy Coachbodies. Simon’s vehicles will likely be the highest specification in all of the UK, featuring an exclusive Line Exterior paired with an AMG Line Interior, Nappa leather,

Designo Wood trim and panoramic glass roof in both the Hearse and Limousines.

Simon’s vehicles will no doubt be one of a kind. Similar to how Duffy Coachbodies takes a no compromise approach to design and manufacture Simon took the same approach when creating his bespoke specification with attentive guidance from Duffy Coachbodies.

FuneralTimes | 61

New delivery from Fearghas Quinn Macleod Funeral Directors, Broadford, Isle of Skye adds another Fearghas Quinn Hearse R. Gibney of Gibneys of Oldcastle Funeral Directors, collects his new hearse from Fearghas & Limousines E-Class to their fleet. Farquhar Macleod, Cameron Macrae and David Quinn Hearse and Limousines.

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Councils plan a crematorium for North West T

hree councils in Northern Ireland have agreed to draw up a business case for a second crematorium in Northern Ireland and have each approved £10,000 funding.

Derry City and Strabane District Council, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and Mid Ulster Council are exploring options for the proposed crematorium. Northern Ireland’s only crematorium is at Roselawn, just outside Belfast.

Councillor Martin Reilly of Derry City and Strabane District Council said a “business case will provide us with robust evidence supporting the need for this facility in the north west.”

Regarding the percieved need for the facility; “This decision to commence an outline business case follows on from positive discussions with neighbouring

Roselawn is currently the only crematorium in Northern Ireland councils who realise, as we do, that there is a geographical deficit for this facility and a growing demand from citizens for cremation,”.

A shortlist of sites has been identified with further research set to be conducted to assess their suitability.

GerryWreath McDermott Manufacturer Circular Road, Roscommon

Mob: 086 2544126 or Mob: 086 8205215

FuneralTimes | 63

Dr Bill Webster

Waves of grief and gladness I

t was a tough job, but somebody had to do it!

I recently led a group of 25 people, each of whom had experienced bereavement in the last few years, on a “therapeutic journey”. We all went on a Caribbean cruise!

Trust me; no-one had to twist my arm! We enjoyed good food, warm sunshine, saw interesting places and enjoyed friendship and support. But equally importantly, each afternoon we met for 45 minutes and I facilitated a support group on the ship. We talked about feelings and what we missed about the person who had died, of course.

But many issues had to do with helping participants reinterpret life as it now is and encouraging them to find ways to make the most of what they have left.

Some may ask what organizing such an excursion has to do with grief support. It is actually one part of a programme we call Among Friends. While, as you would expect, I advocate the importance of psychological and emotional support for people after a loss, I have become increasingly convinced that social support is a crucial element in their recovery, or as I prefer to call it, their reorganization of life after a loss.

Over 20 years ago, people would attend my 6 week grief support programmes, and at the conclusion say, “Now What?” I noticed that they experienced a secondary loss when the group ended, missing the regular interaction with people in similar situations. So we began to organize monthly dinners at a local restaurant. Anywhere from 30 – 80 people would show up and enjoy a nice meal, and 64 | FuneralTimes

even more the opportunity to talk and share Among Friends. As the concept developed, we organized day bus trips, social evenings, corn roasts, to the place where today we offer movie groups, dinner groups, theatre groups and a host of other activities in which people participate.

It isn’t long before people don’t come to Dr Bill’s grief therapy groups anymore, because they are so involved in the social support and activities of Among Friends. And that suits Dr Bill very well because he is busy dealing with the more recently bereaved, as well as taking huge satisfaction in seeing those whose loss is not as recent “move on”.

I came back from this year’s cruise with a renewed sense of excitement and enthusiasm for the model of social support we have developed. Social support means having friends and other people, including family, to turn to in times of need or crisis in order to gain a broader focus and positive self-image. It is knowing that we are part of a community of people who love and care for us, and value and think well of us.

Grief support must involve at least 3 levels of support; informational, emotional, and social.

1. Informational support refers to providing information to help someone understand what is happening and the strategies that will enable them to work through their situation.

2. Emotional support is about helping to lift someone to higher ground so he or she can see their way through the difficulty and begin to move forward

3. Social support enhances their quality of life in the situation they find themselves in to provide a buffer against adverse life events. There is good evidence that social support plays an important role in mental health inasmuch as that lack of social support and feelings of loneliness can make us more vulnerable to the onset of mental health issues like depression or substance abuse problems.

As we all know, shortly after the funeral, people tend to withdraw from the bereaved, not knowing what to say, and dreading doing the wrong thing and “making it worse”. In fairness, it is also true to say that many grieving people pull back from other people when experiencing grief and sadness, wanting people to feel we are “handling it, being strong or coping well.

For these reasons, reconnecting with others in healthy, supportive ways is often an important component of managing many mental health issues or grief. We all need people we can depend on during both the

good times and the bad.

According to Immanuel Kant, the German philosopher, three things are necessary for happiness: a) something to do, b) someone to love, and c) something to look forward to.

I refer to this as “situational reinterpretation.” It reflects the principle which I recently tweeted (@drbillwebster) that states, “what the caterpillar thought was the end of the world, became the butterfly.”

When someone dies, the grieving person often feels like their world has ended. When we have helped them to understand grief, work through their emotions and confront the reality of how life is different, the journey does not end. They still have to come to terms with how life can be meaningful even in the light of loss, known as situational reorganization. Knowing that life still has meaning gives us a purpose, and gets us out of bed each morning.

Next January will be our 20th Anniversary Cruise. Can anyone think of a better therapy?

FuneralTimes | 65

Alan Fleming and Graham Clow

Fleming and Cuthbert collect Coleman Milne pair Alan Fleming visited Coleman Milne to collect Fleming and Cuthbert's newest fleet additions; E213 Hearse and Limousine.

The Ballyclare based funeral directors have returned to Coleman Milne and chosen the new model Mercedes to join an already established fleet of Coleman Milne vehilces. The family run funeral directors have been serving the Newtownabbey community since 2002 and are an invested part of the community. Their immaculate fleet and welcoming, professional premises are the pride of a company that has balanced traditions with modernity.

The pair of Mercedes are trimmed with black leather interior as standard and put passenger comfort as a priority.

The hearse offers a spacious underdeck and classic styling which makes the vehicle versatile and befitting to both modern and traditional funerals.

66 | FuneralTimes

Leading a Funeral isn’t about me!

A

ny funeral service that I design and lead is written all around one person.

That person gets centre stage with their life story. They’re in the spotlight too for the very last time. So I’m very clear that the first name I want you to hear in the service is that of the person who’s died. I also want their name to be the last one that you hear at the end of the service and before you leave.

For that very reason, you’ll never hear me introduce myself or my role. My name doesn’t matter. Nor does my title. What matters is that a funeral service is being held for a very special person and that people have come together to remember them – not to learn about process, structure or any one person’s ego.

So of course I’ve been approached by many people after a service, asking who I am and where I’m from. They’re interesting conversations to have and they happen at

the right time to have them then. But more importantly, they give me the chance to address individual curiosity, rather than levy my professional status in a blanket approach.

We go to a funeral to say our final goodbyes to someone who’s mattered to us. If that person at the front has made you curious through the experience, then so be it. I’m always conscious of how the ceremony experience will ripple on for everyone long after the day has drawn to a close.

It’s not just about the words used or how they’re delivered. It’s about how everyone is made to feel part of what’s happening and how they understand their own role in the celebration.

Holding space for everyone to make those connections during the ceremony is a big part of what I do – and it always will be.

CIVIL FUNERAL CEREMONIES Padraic Cawley MICF Civil Funeral Celebrant

Celebrating the life of the deceased, reflecting their personal beliefs, wishes, values and traditions.

087 267 6050

padraic@padraiccawley.ie www.padraiccawley.ie

INS STITUTE OF

C I V I L FU NE RA R LS

FuneralTimes | 67

UK’s National Funeral Exhibition 2019 is now 78% sold With a year to go until the UK’s National Funeral Exhibition (NFE) 2019 – exhibition space is now 78% sold, with a wide variety of UK, European and global brands signing up for a presence at the show in recent months.

T

he NFE team attended the BEFA Forum 2018, at the Messe, Dusseldorf, in May as well as both Funeral Expo, in Brussels, and Tanexpo, in Italy, in April as part of an international marketing campaign building appetite and excitement for the show. The campaign for the show, which takes place from Friday 7 – Sunday 9 June 2019, at Stoneleigh Park in the centre of England, continues with a brand new website for the show, reinvigorated social media presence, new marketing and advertising collateral - which is being translated into a number of languages - regular e-shots about the 2019 event, and both stories and advertising in key trade press titles, both in the UK and across the world.

There’s easy access to the show from across Éire with direct flights into Birmingham from Shannon, Dublin, Knock and Cork, via Aer Lingus and Flybe.

NAFD Second Vice President Kate Edwards, who chairs the NFE Committee, said: “NFE 2019 is proving to be an

68 | FuneralTimes

extremely compelling draw for major European exhibitors and we will be announcing some major signings to the show over the next couple of months. If there are potential exhibitors reading Funeral Times who would like to discuss having a presence at the show, I would urge you to contact NAFD Business Manager Kirsti Clifford on 0121 711 1343 ext. 1009 or email kirsti@nafd.org.uk to secure your preferred location on the floorplan.

For exhibitors that book before September 2018, there’s a 5% discount on space which makes an early decision to participate in NFE 2019 even more compelling.”

Further information can be found at: www.nationalfuneralexhibition.co.uk

NFE

2019

Brought to you by the National Association of Funeral Directors

@funeral_exhibit www.nationalfuneralexhibition.co.uk

Will you be at the largest trade show for the sector?...

Everything you need to start, improve or grow your business Friday 7 - Sunday 9 June 2019

Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire

WHERE 7R Č´QG XV The showâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s central location, with easy access to road, rail and air services, will make a day at the NFE 2019 VWUDLJKWIRUZDUG IURP VWDUW WR Č´QLVK A respected global platform for the profession and the largest funeral trade show in the UK, NFE showcases LQQRYDWLYHSURGXFWV DQG RÎ?HUV WKRXJKW leadership andbusiness networking opportunities for 4,000+ funeral sector professionals.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The atmosphere at the 2017 show was great and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s certainly delivered business for us. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a big investment, but strong sales leads ensure the investment is worthwhile.â&#x20AC;?

Graham Clow National Sales Manager, Coleman Milne FuneralTimes | 69

MAUD AND CATHAL ET AL

By Mattie Lennon

I’m sure that, in the funeral parlour, you have witnessed real-life drama.

Perhaps real-life is the wrong term.

Funeral parlours have featured in films and TV shows. In Loving Memory stood the test of time. The year is 1929 and in the opening episode Jeremiah Unsworth, the proprietor of the business, dies. This leaves his widow Ivy and not-too-bright nephew Billy to take over the undertaking business. The accident-prone Ivy and Billy have numerous mishaps, and hardly a funeral goes by without something untoward occurring. A constant subplot is Billy’s pursuit of romance, often at the encouragement of Ernie Hadfield; this later ends with Billy’s marriage to old school-friend Mary Braithwaite - who had originally been set to marry Ernie.

And there’s even a DVD, Tea With the Dead, out there somewhere in which yours truly plays a talking corpse.

Such establishments don’t appear so much in stage shows but Frederick J. Prescott is a one-act comedy written by Davis Barfield. It’s set in a funeral parlour with a mainly female cast and I suggest you get your hands on the script. You may be in for a few surprises but... maybe not!

Award-winning writer Jess Kidd does her homework.

“I have applied numerous times for jobs in funeral parlours and asked for work experience in quite a few more, in order to write a television series set in an undertakers. Sadly I have yet to get a job in the industry. I did go on to develop my idea, planning a series called WAKE, which amongst other things, is a bit like a London Irish ‘Six Feet Under.’

I’ve written the treatment for this show and embarked on the script, but I’m still looking for a friendly funeral parlour who will take me under their wing and let me work with them in order to learn more about the business. To this point I’ve relied on documentaries and written accounts but it would be great to see 70 | FuneralTimes

the job from the inside on a day to day basis.”

Muriel Spark wrote, “I am a hoarder of two things; documents and trusted friends.”

I can identify with Spark on that one.

But I am also a hoarder of less useful things. That’s why the title of Jess Kidd’s second novel The Hoarder jumped out at me. Like that other great writer on death, Kevin Toolis, London born Jess had a Mayo parent. Her mother would regularly bring her to wakes and funerals. So death was more familiar to her than to her London friends. When she was researching this multilayered and intricate novel she visited many hoarders; some of whom wouldn’t let her in. If she had called to me I wouldn’t have refused her admission. But I would have emphasised that I don’t want to be “cured.”

She also talked to the cross-dressing community making good friends in the process.

Of course there are hoarders and hoarders.

The hoarder, Cathal Flood, of the title is different.

Not many hoarders have in their collection a tray of glass eyes or a shrunken skull. It’s rumoured this hoarder also has a violent past and an alleged connection to a disappeared schoolgirl.

Of her own upbringing the author says, “Comin’ from a big family, I was surrounded by extroverts so I would sit in the corner, writing all these stories and plays. Everything I wrote even as a small child was really morbid. In one play I wrote, all the cast died and then the narrator died.”

Raised in London yet spending so many of her childhood summers on the west coast of Ireland have given Kidd a heightened sense of eerie romance about

Ireland. Being between two worlds, she says, suits the mind of a writer perfectly.

She told me recently,” I’ve travelled all around Ireland and I’m hoping to relocate to West Cork soon. We are looking for a home at the moment.”

“Writers kind of have this feeling that they want to be observers,” she says. “I think a lot of writers I’ve known seem slightly out of kilter with everything, and that can be the case when you’re between two worlds. It’s not a bad thing.”

The Hoarder is set in modern-day west London, with two Irish émigrés – spirited Maud Drennan, carer of the elderly hoarder Cathal Flood, is at the heart of the action. Kidd has captured the Irish argot impressively. With the bleak humour, gore, and dark psyches it is easy to see why a reviewer in The Times concisely summed it up as “Utterly unputdownable.”

The author worked as a support worker specialising in acquired brain injury and recently nursed her father in the final few months of his life. She put her experience to good use when developing the character of Maud Drennan. (Jess’s father was an artist and he too wasn’t in the habit of throwing anything away.)

Maud is surrounded by intrigue, mystery and darkness in Flood’s sprawling, rundown mansion as well as invisible Saints, and an acrophobic landlady whose past is itself a novel in the making. Kidd does, however, inject some funny cameos.

“I wanted to deal with the themes of bereavement and loss and grief, and injecting comedy into that is very useful,” observes Kidd. “A lot of the people doing the same profession as Maud – doctors, nurses, and carers – are going to help and support people, but probably dealing with their own shit at the same time, like Maud. You have to use some comedy, and the more twisted the better. I love books, too, where the rug is pulled right out from under me.”

She brings Flood’s

environment to life so vividly that the reader can almost smell the decay and putrid food containers on the page. And the description of dozens of slumbering cats, the rat droppings and the greasy collections of plastic bags are enough to make you shudder. In his earlier life Cathal’s calling card read, Cathal T. Flood Purveyor of Antiques and Curiosities Flora and Fauna, Medical, Scientific Specialist in Taxidermy and Victorian Automata.

The word “Artist” didn’t appear on the list although he did paint a portrait of his carer Maud.

Maud and Cathal are united in their hatred of his son Gabriel, their love of stories, and the ghosts of the past which linger at all times around the place.

Cathal Flood, spiteful, wounded, belligerent and sometimes likeable, is a character readers aren’t likely to forget. He is in the habit of putting curses on Maud, wishing on her at one point, “a barren womb, eating without shitting, sodomy by all of hell’s demons (simultaneously and one after each other), fierce constrictions of the throat, a relentless smouldering of the groin and an eternity on help with (her) eyes on fire”.

If you have read Jess Kidd’s debut novel Himself, which was selected for the BBC Radio 2 Book Club and shortlisted for the Irish Book awards, The Hoarder needs no recommendation. But if this work of intrigue, the paranormal, grime, guilt, grief and people not being who they claimed to be is your first introduction of her work, you are in for a treat.

The Hoarder is published by Canongate Books Limited.

I am definitely a hoarder but the jury in my head is still out on whether there is such a thing as reincarnation. But, just in case, I have picked out a tombstone for myself.

FuneralTimes | 71

Representing the needs of almost 4,000 funeral homes, the National Association of Funeral Directors is the “Voice of the Funeral Profession”, supporting members and assuring the public of high standards for more than 100 years.

The NAFD is influential • Consulted by Government on legislative issues • First call for the media on funeral / bereavement issues • Established cross party groups in all four UK Parliaments / Assemblies • Universally endorsed professional qualifications

The NAFD is inclusive • We are financially independent of any other organisation • We campaign on issues affecting all members equally • Members range from small independent firms to groups and Co-operatives • We are totally democratic with one member, one vote - irrespective of the number of funeral homes

The NAFD is supportive • Best benefits package within the sector, saving up to £5,000 a year on essential business costs • Free helplines for financial, legal and employment law, HR, public relations and repatriation issues • Free £5m professional indemnity insurance per UK funeral home member - unique within the sector • Free insurance against tribunal claims, H&S and tax prosecutions

The NAFD is trusted • NAFD members are trusted by consumers to deliver our Funeral Promise: • A funeral that is a fitting farewell, at a price they are comfortable with • Treating bereaved families with respect and acting with integrity • Fulfilling any special wishes and requests • The right to independent redress if the need should arise

Your business will be Stronger by Association with the NAFD. Apply to join today and start taking advantage of the benefits of membership.

Call: Su Lewis on 0121 711 1343 ext. 20.

Visit: www.nafd.org.uk/whyjointhenafd

NAFD News NAFD to play leading role in responding to HM Treasury and CMA consultations I

n early June, the profession awoke to twin announcements by HM Treasury and the Competition & Markets Authority, with the former launching a consultation into the regulation of funeral plan sales and the latter a market study into whether information provided by funeral directors on prices and services is helping consumers make informed choices. Representing more than 80% of the UK funeral profession, the NAFD handled significant press interest in immediate aftermath, providing a statement to many media outlets, but deferring interview requests until it had the chance to digest the scope of the investigations and how the Association might best respond on behalf of its diverse range of member firms.

The NAFD has been invited to participate in both consultations and spoke with the Competition & Markets Authority the following week to clarify, in detail, the scope of their market enquiry, offering its full support in helping the CMA to understand the views and experience of its members.

NAFD President Abi Pattenden said: “We believe the NAFD and its members are well placed to show the CMA evidence of transparency, fairness and progressive thinking in respect of pricing visibility, but we also look forward to taking this opportunity to highlight the need for greater transparency, fairness and progressive thinking by the UK Government itself on matters such as the Social Fund funeral

payment and changes to bereavement benefits.”

“This is an important time for our profession and there is a huge opportunity to showcase everything our members are doing to respond to changing consumer needs for funeral services. This is one of those occasions where the long-term political engagement work we do with key stakeholders in the UK Parliament and the devolved parliaments and assemblies, and our well-developed government lobbying programmes and PR activity throughout the UK, will provide us with a strong and effective voice. It is one that we’re not afraid to use to ensure we effectively represent the interests of every NAFD member, from the largest to the smallest.”

Having already made contact with the Treasury Minister, John Glen MP, to set out the Association’s position on funeral plan regulation, the NAFD will also play a full part in responding to the Treasury consultation, meeting with officials and politicians where appropriate. The NAFD’s position remains clear: any future regulation must be relevant and proportionate to the needs of the funeral sector and this means it must not adversely benefit or disadvantage one section of the membership over another.

Client families need better protection, funeral directors, of all sizes, need to be able to continuing doing their jobs.

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Charting a course for the future - NAFD Conference 2018 In May, NAFD Annual Conference 2018, hosted by 2017-18 President, Alison Crake, dawned bright and sunny in Durham, at the riverside Radisson Blu Hotel.

H

elen Goodman, the Member of Parliament for Bishop Auckland, performed the official opening of Conference.

In her speech, she spoke about the importance of a good funeral, saying: “What makes a life?

And how do you mark the end of one?” She also spoke of the urgent need to reform the Social Fund funeral payment drawing on her own experience in the DWP during the previous Government.

Conference then heard from Rev. Juliet Stephenson on her work within the Church of England funeral project and her own ministry in Newcastle, before she led Conference in the traditional service of invocation.

Ahead of the Annual General Meeting, NAFD President Alison Crake addressed Conference on the achievements of the last year and the opportunities and challenges which lie ahead. She confessed that it had not been an easy year. “Each President will have different expectations of their year ahead, and in many cases, little idea of how their year will progress or the challenges they will face.

“I am no different in that respect, but this has certainly not been the year I expected it to be. It has been a year of change and, Abi Pattenden, President 2018-2019

The riverside Radisson Blu Hotel, Durham

for a time, huge uncertainty. Despite all of these challenges, as a team we have never lost sight of our goals nor heart in our circumstances. And I am proud of the many things the NAFD has achieved, with your support and the hard work of staff and volunteers alike. Indeed, during the course of this last year, the NAFD has perhaps been involved in more projects, issues, dialogue and campaigns than ever before - in what often feels like an ever-changing landscape.”

The Annual General Meeting of the National Association of Funeral Directors was convened after a short coffee break, with Graham Lymn, the Interim Chief Executive, setting out his intentions with regards to his time in the role.

“I intend ensuring that my successor has a smooth transition to the seat that I will probably vacate before the end of the year.

A seat that I don’t intend just keeping warm for a few months,” he said. “I need to know how the team at National Office can help you in your business. If you are a member conducting 100 funerals a year – how can we help? A large family business conducting

Alison Crake, President 2017-2018, with Past Presidents of the NAFD 1000 plus funerals a year – how can we help? A national corporate; national or independent Co-op – how can we help?”

The presentation of the accounts, during the meeting, provoked considerable discussion. Honorary Treasurer Marcus Wilkinson reported that, as expected, the 2017 year concluded with a deficit, and that there were a number of exceptional costs incurred during the period.

He also recorded his concerns that no provisions had been made for some significant key costs and that there had been inaccurate reporting of the outturn from NAFD events during the Autumn Meeting. Reassuring the membership, Marcus confirmed that a significant amount of the outstanding NFE income has now been recovered and that he is working with National Office to improve financial controls, management and reporting. There was a short discussion on the proposals for incorporation of the Association. Marcus went over the key points and said the Association must work to make this happen.

His comments were supported by other members in the room.

The appointment of auditors followed and then the election of Officers and ballot for the Executive Committee.

The following candidates were elected to the 2018-2019 Executive: three officers

- Abi Pattenden as President, First Vice President David Barrington and Second Vice President Kate Edwards; David Collingwood, Co-op Funeralcare; Barry Pritchard, Barry Pritchard Funeral Services; John Adams, Perry & Phillips; Kevin Crute, Central England Co-operative; Gerry Boyle, Dignity plc; Jeremy Field, CPJ Field; and Sam Kershaw, Funeral Partners. Alison Crake, as Immediate Past President, was automatically appointed to the Executive.

Phillip Blatchly, as chair of the Committee for Professional Standards, confirmed that compliance is up to its highest ever figure of 98.6% - which was extremely positive, during comments on his report.

Past President Paul Cuthell introduced the NAFD Scotland report and highlighted the ongoing work of Scottish members, supported by National Office to support and educate the Inspector of Funeral Directors, Natalie McKail.

At the close of the AGM, responding to questions from the floor, Interim CEO Graham Lymn pointed to the future, highlighting how the NAFD was focusing its energy on moving forward, delivering on the considerable agenda of work that lay before it.

On the Saturday, the Education sessions introduced three diverse but equally riveting speakers to the assembled guests.

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“Death brings out the best in families but it also can bring out the worst.” said Dr Heather Conway of Queen’s University Belfast as she answered some of the extremely thorny and challenging questions funeral directors face in mediating between grieving family members who simply cannot agree after sharing a range of insights on the subject of the law and the dead.

Next, Theologian Professor Douglas Davies, of Durham University, took delegates on a journey of reflection and self-examination, as he explored the concepts of identity, dying and duty of care - and how we search for meaning. He asked the assembled funeral directors to think about their role in society and how they saw themselves.

He acknowledged that this was shaped by society’s own views being projected on to the profession, which were changing rapidly and therefore made matters harder for the profession. “Professions grow and expand and make demands on you,” he said. "How you approach this as funeral directors is significant. But how can you fulfil your changing role when we as a society ask so much of you, make so many demands of you?”

Finally, keynote speaker Sir Ranulph Fiennes, the world’s greatest living explorer, took to the stage to share stories, anecdotes and observations from across his many extraordinary adventures.

Witty, insightful and honest, attendees listened in rapt silence, punctuated by frequent gales of laughter, as he regaled Conference with tales from the desert and both polar surfaces. After his presentation, he was interviewed by Nick Britten from Wordsmith Communication, followed by numerous questions from the floor and a book signing which only ended when he sold out of books!

Conference also offers an important opportunity for colleagues and friends to get together. On Thursday evening there was a visit to the historic Beamish Museum which brings life in the 1900s in the North East vividly to life, whilst Alison Crake had lined up a particular treat for Conference attendees on the Friday evening, with an invitation to attend a private performance of 76 | FuneralTimes

Choral Evensong and hear the soaring voices of the world-renowned Durham Cathedral Choir. On Saturday evening, the traditional Conference Banquet, with guests including Stephen Wibberley the new CEO of Cruse Bereavement Care, Presidents of kindred associations and many others, raised more than £2,000 for the Presidential Charity for 2017-2018, Medical Detection Dogs.

On the final day of Conference, NAFD President Alison Crake gave her farewell address, in which she thanked members and colleagues for their support and confessed that she had been overwhelmed by and grateful for the friendship and affection shown to her across the weekend. She then installed Abi Pattenden, of Freeman Brothers in Sussex, as NAFD President for 2018-2019 - with a little assistance from interim CEO Graham Lymn. Abi, in turn, then installed David Barrington, of Barrington Funeral Services in Liverpool, as Vice President and NAFD tutor Kate Edwards as Second Vice President.

In her valedictory speech, President Abi recalled how she first came into the profession and set out her plan to help more people understand the commitment and passion of funeral directors for their work in the year ahead. “Unlike a lot of people who have had the privilege of wearing this chain, I wasn’t born into funerals and I didn’t find an early vocation. However, since being lucky enough to fall into my current role, managing Freeman Brothers, I have come to learn that it is impossible to overstate the vital work we do in helping bereaved people.

It is simply quite unlike any job I have ever had. The commitment you bring to your job, to your community, and the people within it who you serve.”

After the close of Conference, President Abi held her first Executive Meeting with the 2018-19 NAFD Executive Committee, as delegates made their way home from a vibrant, entertaining and highly informative weekend in the north east of England.

The NAFD would like to thank all of the sponsors, particularly headline sponsor Ecclesiastical Planning Services, who made the weekend possible.

The NAFD unveils new service information and comparison site for members

A

t NAFD Conference, in June, the Association revealed that it has invested in the development of funeral-directory.co.uk – a transparent new service information and comparison website designed to provide all 4,000 funeral homes in NAFD membership with a flexible marketing platform through which they can promote their services.

Upon launch, funeral-directory.co.uk is a vibrant new information portal, for consumers that are searching for reputable local funeral directors. Building on the current ‘Find a Member’ facility on the NAFD website, consumers will be taken to the funeral-directory.co.uk branded website which will guide them, step-bystep, through the process of finding their local NAFD members, provide information about their services, reviews from previous customers and details of how to contact them.

The service will also offer the opportunity to include pricing information, with consumers able to search for information on both simple funerals and more complex, personalised services. Members will be fully in control of the information they provide, over and above the current contact details, with the ability to opt in and out of how much information they include such as whether they include pricing, whether their entry includes Google reviews or not and how consumers can contact them. funeral-directory.co.uk is being provided free to NAFD funeral firms, as a benefit of membership, and is set to launch in early July. It will be promoted at a national level by the NAFD through online marketing, PR and social media, however the real power in the project will be the combined promotional force of all NAFD members - working together to highlight funeraldirectory.co.uk, as a trusted source of high quality funeral firms, to consumers across the UK. One of the founders of the project, Robert

Lodge, of Lodge Brothers, a member of the London Association of Funeral Directors, who raised concerns about the online Price Comparison Market in early 2017 and was supported by the local association to raise concerns with the NAFD, explains the potential he sees in funeral-directory. co.uk for members of all shapes and sizes: “funeral-directory.co.uk gives NAFD members a web platform that they can control, as part of their membership of the Association and consumers can feel confident that any funeral director they choose as a result of searching on funeraldirectory.co.uk will be one that is inspected regularly and abides by a strict Code of Practice.

NAFD President Abi Pattenden has urged members to get involved: “The NAFD has taken the initiative and made a choice to embrace a changing market, providing our members with an amazing resource, the benefits of which - I believe- will be significant. Although the level of information each member provides is entirely at their discretion, it has become clear that price transparency and visibility, together with independent reviews are becoming increasingly key to funeral purchase decisions and so I would urge NAFD members to engage with this valuable, cost-free opportunity and promote their services confidently and comprehensively on the funeral-directory. co.uk website.”

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NAFD sets out its preferred regulatory solution for funeral plan sales In late April, the NAFD welcomed the second Fairer Finance report into how the sale of funeral plans should be regulated, having been involved in shaping its findings, and set out the Association’s preferred options for the future regulation of the sector.

In launching the report, which was sponsored by Co-op Funeralcare, Dignity, Ecclesiastical and Golden Charter, James Daly of Fairer Finance said: “There is not enough protection for customers buying pre-paid funeral plans. These products can cost several thousand pounds and, crucially, the customer won’t be around to see whether the promises made to them have been kept.

We’re concerned that a small but significant minority of businesses in this sector are taking too much in commission and administration fees and may not be putting enough aside to keep the promises they have made to customers.

“We’d like to see the Government acting swiftly to introduce regulation so that consumers are properly protected when they buy a funeral plan. And, in the meantime, the Financial Conduct Authority needs to be doing much more to police those companies who do not meet the legal requirements to remain exempt from regulation.”

In its response, the NAFD expressed its agreement with Fairer Finance’s urgent call for tighter regulation of funeral plan sales, and its concern that agents acting for less scrupulous funeral plan companies were subjecting consumers to pressure selling tactics, leading to vulnerable people buying funeral plans that would not adequately cover the costs of their chosen funeral.

The NAFD has also said that it would also like to see:• A requirement for clearer communication with the consumer regarding where and how funeral plan funds are invested; • Complete transparency regarding the value of any fees and sales commissions attached to the plan. This must include 78 | FuneralTimes

ensuring the consumer understands how much of their payment remains in the funeral plan after the deduction of commission and charges; • A requirement for funeral directors to be informed by plan providers when a plan is being sold with their name against it as nominated funeral director. The funeral director must have an opportunity to agree the terms and their decision be confirmed to the family before the standard ‘cooling off ’ period ends.

The NAFD shares Fairer Finance’s view of the important role played by the Funeral Planning Authority (FPA) in setting standards for funeral plan companies and has noted the Funeral Planning Authority’s considerable efforts to increase the number of funeral plan providers that are subject to FPA scrutiny and its willingness to use the significant powers that it already possesses to censure any plan provider that steps out of line.

The NAFD believes that the development of regulatory standards that are suitable and proportionate for funeral plans is the best way to ensure that consumers have access to expertise, guidance and choice when they wish to pre-arrange their funeral.

The NAFD would, therefore, like to see introduction of statutory regulation to the funeral planning market and would like to see these new powers conferred upon the Funeral Planning Authority to add strength and weight to its current voluntary standards regime.

NAFD President, Alison Crake, said: “We believe the FPA is the right organisation to lead the regulation of the funeral plan market. The funeral plan market is tiny compared to other financial goods and services such as insurance, investments and savings, which the Financial Conduct Authority rightly focuses its regulatory attention upon.

“A more robust regulatory regime, operated

by the FPA, would ensure that funeral plan providers can be regulated effectively and proportionately, by a focused and accountable regulatory body which already has extensive market experience, has reshaped its governance to enable it to add in a truly independent manner and has the buy-in of a significant percentage of funeral

plan providers. By conferring statutory powers upon the FPA, all funeral plan providers, not just those who volunteer to abide by high standards, will be compelled to meet the high standards of operation and accountability that consumers have a right to expect.”

NAFD welcomes Scotland’s introduction of index-linked funeral payments When will rest of UK follow suit?

I

n April, the Scottish Parliament signalled the first step to fairness, voting to introduce index-linked funeral payments, signalling a major step forward in the fight to help bereaved families.

The NAFD, which has been campaigning strongly for the move at Holyrood and Westminster for a number of years, welcomed the news from Edinburgh.

Interim CEO Graham Lymn said he hoped politicians at Westminster would now follow suit and look at linking funeral payments to inflation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The move means that Scotland will take the lead over the rest of the UK, where funeral benefits for low-income families have remained static for more than 14 years.

The measure was agreed by MSPs during the final reading of the Social Security (Scotland) Bill, introducing a wide range of measures designed to modernise systems and payments in Scotland.

As NAFD members will be well aware, at present low-income families can get only £700 to help cover almost everything relating to the funeral, including the coffin, flowers, celebrant or minister’s fees and the services of the funeral director in making all of the arrangements. Going forward, in Scotland, the capped £700 element will now be increased annually in line with inflation. The measures are expected to come into operation next year, with the

Scottish Parliament

increases following that.

The vote, meaning that the £700 payment is not set in stone, is a symbolic moment and important turning point in the debate about fair access to funeral services. The NAFD will continue to put pressure on the rest of the United Kingdom to follow suit.

Interim CEO, Graham Lymn, said: “We are delighted that the Scottish Government and Scottish Parliament has taken this important first step to offering greater help for bereaved families.

“The NAFD has consistently voiced concerns about the inadequacy of the funeral expenses payment, which has remained unchanged at £700 for more than fourteen years and has to cover almost everything relating to the funeral including the coffin, flowers, celebrant or minister’s fees and the services of the funeral director in making all of the arrangements.

“This will help support those who really FuneralTimes | 79

need it at a time of grief and sorrow, and we hope that MPs and Government ministers at Westminster will appreciate what their colleagues in Scotland are doing, and follow suit.”

The NAFD has stepped up its campaign for index-linking throughout the UK in 2014 and gained the support of Cruse Bereavement Care that year in a joint letter to then Prime Minister, David Cameron.

The following year, QSA supported the initiative and co-signed a letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer. With this support, our correspondence with Ministers and other political stakeholders highlighted the importance of obtaining index linking.

To achieve such positive change in Scotland is very welcome and demonstrates the work that the NAFD has been doing to support bereaved families that our members serve.

More recently, a meeting of the Cross Party Group (CPG) for Funerals and Bereavement in the Scottish Parliament, provided a forum for Citizens’ Advice Scotland and John Birrell to present a paper setting out the need for index linking and the costs involved. Following the meeting, the co-Convener of the Group sent a letter to Jeane Freeman MSP, the Minister for Social Security, setting out the support of the Group for index linking.

As many of you know, the CPG was instigated by the NAFD in 2011 and continues to fund its secretariat to ensure the Group serves as an effective forum to raise issues of concern to the funeral industry and bereavement organisations.

Following the meeting, the NAFD has also worked with local members in Scotland to lobby their MSPs to support the proposal.

The result of this joined-up action is now here for all to see and really demonstrates the importance of the NAFD’s political and public relations work in Scotland. Had we not provided the essential first platform for John Birrell and Citizens Advice Scotland, it is difficult to see how this issue would have gained the support it did. Had we not been sat around the table to hear about the proposal, we would not have been in a position to galvanise support in the way we did.

NAFD members across the four nations of the United Kingdom can be proud to have played their part in this matter. We would particularly like to thank those Scottish members who took the time to contact your MSP. Our collective voice has led to positive change that will make a huge difference to the lives of thousands of bereaved families.

NAFD launches recruitment scheme with MoD Career Transition Partnership The Career Transition Partnership (CTP) provides resettlement services for those leaving the Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force and Marines and operates as an intermediary service for employers wishing to hire Service leavers. The CTP is a partnering agreement between the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Right Management Ltd, which is a global career development and outplacement specialist and part of the ManpowerGroup.

To date, CTP has assisted over 180,000 Service leavers with the transition to civilian life and supported thousands of organisations looking to employ ex-Service personnel and, now, the NAFD has launched a recruitment scheme to promote funeral service roles to Service leavers.

A new dedicated page on the NAFD 80 | FuneralTimes

website provides information about careers in funeral service and a link to a dedicated CTP page on which NAFD members can promote their latest vacancies.

For funeral firms considering hiring a Service leaver or Service personnel considering a role within the funeral profession, there are many examples of

funeral service employees who have already successfully made the transition. Sean Worthington served in the 2nd Battalion Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment (Infantry) and left in December 2013. He has worked for Southern Co-operative ever since.

“After leaving, I was quite indecisive on what to do with myself and what path to take in starting out in my new civilian life,” says Sean. “I originally debated close protection and the prison service.

Unfortunately, neither of those worked out for me so I was back to the drawing board which had a massive effect on me – I was struggling to readjust to civilian life.

“With the support of my partner I had to sort myself out, and I started with the Southern Co-operative as a casual funeral assistant. It was nice to be back in work and it gave me something else to focus on other than constantly wondering what the lads back at camp were up to. The first thing that surprised me about the funeral industry was that it is very fast-paced job role and you

rarely have time to take your foot off the gas.

This is when my career in the Army helped me out. The Armed Forces are meticulous with their timing, and it’s the same for the funeral industry - everything has a deadline that you need to meet.

“I remained as a casual funeral assistant for about six months, until I was fortunate enough to get a job as a full-time funeral assistant, collecting and preparing deceased people, maintaining and cleaning vehicles, acting as a bearer, transferring deceased persons across country when needed and responding to coroners’ removals of any sudden death. Fast forward to November 2016 when I became the team leader for the Isle of Wight. You only ever get one chance with a funeral to get everything right, there is no second chance. The Southern Cooperative has helped me develop the skills the Army instilled in me and, as a result, has put me onto qualifications and courses to further develop myself - in the future I hope to do a Diploma in funeral directing.”

(L-R) Myles Lally & Bernard Downling from Staffords Funeral Services

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