FT Issue 4 2025 for web

The magazine for Funeral Directors in Ireland

2025 Vol.25 No.4

FuneralTimes | 1

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Humanist funerals and memorials are non-religious ceremonies which focus on the person who has died, the life they led, and the relationships they forged.

They are based on the humanist perspective that every life is valuable and unique. è ĉĖĎĂďĊĔĕ ćĖďĆēĂč Đē ĎĆĎĐēĊĂč ĊĔ ĕĉĆ đĆēćĆĄĕ ĐđĕĊĐď ćĐē ćĂĎĊčĊĆĔ Ăďą ćēĊĆďąĔ ĘĉĐ ĘĂďĕ Ă ĔĊďĄĆēĆ đĆēĔĐďĂč ĄĐĎĎĆĎĐēĂĕĊĐď Đć ĕĉĆĊē čĐėĆą ĐďĆ ĘĊĕĉĐĖĕ ēĆčĊĈĊĐď ìĂĄĉ ćĖďĆēĂč Ăďą ĎĆĎĐēĊĂč ĄĆēĆĎĐďĚ ĊĔ ĕĂĊčĐēĆą ĕĐ ĕĉĆ đĆēĔĐď ĘĉĐ ĉĂĔ ąĊĆą Ăďą ĕĉĆ ĘĊĔĉĆĔ Đć ĕĉĆ đĆĐđčĆ ĘĉĐ čĐėĆ ĕĉĆĎ Ċď ĕĉĆ ĎĐĔĕ ĥĕĕĊďĈ ĘĂĚ đĐĔĔĊăčĆ ûĉĂĕ ĎĂĚ ăĆ Ăď ĖđăĆĂĕ ĄĆčĆăēĂĕĊĐď Đć čĊćĆ Đē Ă ĄĆēĆĎĐďĚ ĘĊĕĉ Ă ĎĐēĆ ĕēĂąĊĕĊĐďĂč ĕĐďĆ ïĖĎĂďĊĔĕ ćĖďĆēĂčĔ ĂēĆ ĊďĄčĖĔĊėĆ Ăďą ĘĆčĄĐĎĊďĈ ĕĐ đĆĐđčĆ Đć Ăčč ăĂĄČĈēĐĖďąĔ Ăďą ćĂĊĕĉĔ ûĉĆĚ ĐćĕĆď ĊďĄčĖąĆ ĕĊĎĆ ćĐē ēĆĦĆĄĕĊĐď Đď ĕĉĆ đĆēĔĐď ĘĉĐ ĉĂĔ ąĊĆą ĘĉĆď ĕĉĐĔĆ ĘĊĕĉ ēĆčĊĈĊĐĖĔ ăĆčĊĆćĔ ĄĂď ĔĂĚ Ă ĔĊčĆďĕ đēĂĚĆē Ċć ĕĉĆĚ ĘĊĔĉ Humanist funerals and memorial ceremonies are conducted by our trained and accredited celebrants.

FIND YOUR LOCAL CELEBRANT Emma Crawford 07976 124056

Stewart Holden 07971 634098

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Hope Kelly 07530 000300

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humanists.uk/ceremonies ïĖĎĂďĊĔĕĔ üò -3 ôĐēĆčĂďą úĕēĆĆĕ óĐďąĐď ìê+ý 2éé ùĆĈĊĔĕĆēĆą êĉĂēĊĕĚ õĐ ,2/321

Rachel Smith 07957 474643

The magazine for Funeral Directors in Ireland

Freddie Maguire obituary Page 6

New NAFD NI President Page 25

40 years of service Page 42

Contents Freddie Maguire obituary...................................................................................................... 6 Syd Lyle obituary .................................................................................................................... 10 IAFD News .................................................................................................................................. 16 Support for Cancer Charity ............................................................................................... 26 Mark Feehan on turning care into connection ........................................................ 29 BIE News ..................................................................................................................................... 32

EDITORIAL AND ADVERTISING CONTACTS: Graham Brown, Ruth McQuillan, Vikki Crangle, Paula Hanna Tel: (028) 3835 5060 (048) from ROI

Brendan Murphy - 40 years of service ........................................................................ 42 What to use & when to use it by Tim Collison ....................................................... 46 Conor Clear on a celebrant’s quiet rituals ................................................................. 50 SAIF News .................................................................................................................................. 53 Falling into Autumn by Ian Fee ........................................................................................ 58 Jennifer Muldowney on the elephant in our room ............................................... 62 Mattie Lennon takes a look at some heavy duty wake amusements ........... 72 What do I have to do? by Dr. Bill Webster ............................................................... 74

Funeral Times is owned and published by: InHouse Publications, 1 Annagh Drive, Craigavon, Co. Armagh BT63 5WF E: sales@funeraltimes.com

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.

FuneralTimes | 3

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Honouring Life

FREDDIE MAGUIRE 23.09.1947 - 27.05.2025 6 | FuneralTimes

T

he Irish funeral industry lost one of its leading figures in May when Massey Bros. chairman Freddie Maguire passed away.

One phrase defined Freddie’s mission: “Honouring Life.” To him, this meant doing more than delivering funeral services. It meant caring for the deceased with tender attention, supporting bereaved families with empathy, and actively enriching the communities where Massey Bros. has a presence.

Freddie will be remembered as a dad, mentor, colleague, and chairman, but also a true guiding light for Massey Bros. His journey began in 1972, when he joined the family-run firm and helped shape it into the compassionate, community-centred organisation it is today.

Taking the helm in the late 1970s, Freddie combined vision with hard work. He led the transformation from a modest funeral parlour to a respected city-wide provider, overseeing the opening of multiple branches across Dublin. Yet, growth for Freddie never meant sacrificing personal care - each expansion reflected his unwavering belief that every family deserved genuine empathy, respect, and dignity.

Freddie believed deeply in leading by example: it was clear in the way he greeted each family, sat quietly during service preparations, always offering a reassuring word. He embedded the company’s core values - trust, compassion, and humility - into every chapter of growth.

Under his direction, the company became a sponsoring partner of youth sports teams, an advocate for hospice fundraising, and the

host of community coffee mornings and social events. Freddie believed he had a duty not just to his clients, but to the places and people around him and he made community-building a genuine commitment, not just a marketing strategy.

His colleagues, friends, clients, and even competitors used the same word to describe him: gentleman. Those who worked with him remember his quiet dignity, his always steady presence in the branches and his unwavering support for both staff and families alike. No one ever doubted that his kindness was sincere - he lived it every day.

Freddie’s passing has left both a void and a legacy. His daughter, Susan Guinan, leads as Managing Director.

His sons, Peter, Robert and Andrew Maguire, continue as Directors, with his son William Maguire maintaining the Massey Bros.’ fleet to the highest standard.

They are joined by their mother, Aileen Maguire, also a director, who quietly ensures that every last detail is in place across the branches. Together, they’re determined to carry forward the values their father nurtured: caring first and always, and honouring lives through action and presence.

Though he is deeply missed, the company he shaped remains true to his values. Every service they arrange, every community event they support, every grieving family they accompany - that all happens because of the foundation he built.

This is their way of honouring Freddie’s memory: living the mission with both dedication and compassion.

“I have fought The good fight,

I have finished The race, I have kept The faith”.

FREDDIE MAGUIRE

FuneralTimes | 7

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We at The Family Silver have been providing this service for almost 12 years and treat every client as if they are our first.

The process is very simple, we provide the silicon mould making material to the Funeral Directors who take the mould and give to the client. The mould does not date and multiple pieces of jewellery, necklaces, bracelets, cuff links and key rings can be made from a single mould. The beauty of this is that if the customer looses their jewellery they can always contact us to make a replacement.

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Gentleman Syd S

yd Lyle died suddenly on 23 July 2025. He was a consummate professional funeral director but so much more than that.

Syd, as well as running his own practice worked for many other funeral directors throughout Northern Ireland. Nobody had a bad word to say about Syd, his smile and kindly approach to every funeral set just the right tone and families knew they were in good hands.

They had Syd’s full attention during their time of need.

He cared deeply about all the small things that make a funeral a positive part of the process of grief and ensured that everything would be as the family wished it to be.

When the time came for his own funeral S Clarke and Sons, for whom Syd had worked regularly, had the honour of making the arrangements. There was a huge crowd at Antrim & Newtownabbey Crematorium on that bright sunny 28 July morning. The car park filled up early and additional space was used in the grounds of the Ballyearl Theatre opposite as well as along the roadside.

2 | FuneralTimes 10 | FuneralTimes

A large gathering of fu funeral uneral directors formed a guard of honour the ffull ull len n length from the gates to the cremator rium m as a piper played crematorium three tunes leadingg th the eh earss in. The 175 seat hearse venue wa as fi fill lled to ccapacity a was with ea asily ly the same number outside. easily The Human n service was Humanist led by All li Ford who Allie spoke aabout Syd’s love of hiss family, not only his w wife Gillian and so o Spencer, but his on son c closeness to all h relatives. His his sense of fun was an important aspect of his life along with his love of travel and in particular planes. He once went to New York for an afternoon just to experience the journey.

Spencer told o his great of re e relationship with hiss dad and how prou he was to proud Sy son. It was be Syd’s an impressive address.

One of Spencer’s teachers Simon Patterson summed Syd up well with the following words...

“Like everyone else I was shocked when I learnt of the passing of Syd last week. After hearing the news, like so many, I struggled to sleep. In the early hours of Thursday morning I typed a message to Gillian and she has asked me to read it to you all today. If I had known I

wouldn’t be speaking to Syd again I guess these are some things I’d have liked to say.

Hi Syd, Just lying here awake and can’t sleep.

I can’t even begin to imagine how Gillian and Spencer are feeling. I don’t have any words but what I do have are amazing memories of you that, in the darkness, are making me smile.

I can’t get a certain image out of my head. It’s that of you clambering out of your mid-life crisis Porsche, on Portrush Main Street. You walked toward me, smiling like a Cheshire Cat and then whispered… ‘If I’d known how hard it would be to get in and out of that thing I wouldn’t have bought it’. This will always make me smile.

You should really only have been another parent of a pupil I taught. Someone I’d become aquatinted with for a moment of time and then we both move on with life … but you weren’t. You became a friend and there are very few who have made that category throughout my teaching career. In life there are some people you meet who are just real, who you just click with… you were one of

I will never forget. I try to apply to my work and life too - that’s your influence. You never knew how highly I respected you and I’d have loved you to have known that. You always said ‘Relationships are key’ and I will take that away with me from some of the deep chats we had over a coffee or a pint.

I love thinking back to nights out and spontaneous meets in town or coffees up north - I think you would definitely want Gillian to carry this tradition on so I will make sure she does.

I phoned Gillian the other night and Spencer answered the phone. I was so impressed by how he conducted himself. It was somewhat strange having a young man who I haven’t taught for 10 years address me as Mr Patterson, but this level of respect was instilled in him by you. I can even recall on nights out the phrase ‘Mr Patterson’ slip out of your own mouth too - always so respectful in all you did.

I came off the phone feeling strangely settled because he sounded just like you Syd. It made me know how much you will still be around

“Rest peacefully dear friend” those - you and Gillian both. My memories are of good times but also some tough times too.

You always had your family at the heart and centre of every decision: Choosing to send your child to a fee paying prep school was a big decision and a financial sacrifice - you made this decision because you wanted the best for Spencer. Leaving that school was an even bigger decision but again it was done for your family and with them in mind… and, like so many decisions you made, with hindsight it was the right one.

You never had a bad word to say about anyone… ok that’s a lie - we used to love a wee moan about certain people (all justifiable of course) but even when we had those rants, you would always finished on a positive note. And nine times out of ten that positive thought was with Gillian or Spencer in mind. I’ll therefore rephrase that initial thought and say ‘no one had a bad thing to say about you!’

People always came before profit - that is something you always told me, and something

in the form of Spencer … he is a real credit to you both. They often say, ‘bring your children up well and look after them because some day they will be looking after you!’ As I look now to a young man who is looking after his mum, somewhat sooner than he should be, all I can say is ‘a job well done mate!’

Syd there is only one word I can use to describe you and that is ‘a Gentleman’ in the truest form of the word. I love how you always reigned Gillian in yet give her the freedom to be herself. I can just picture Gillian going off on one of her big stories and you sitting smiling and nodding and looking at her with nothing but pure love.

We are all so lucky to have had you in our lives even if you did leave the party a little too early (Mr Sensible as ever). You’ve left Gillian and Spencer with all of us though and let me reassure you, that means everything is going to be okay. I promise.

You were a quiet man but when you spoke, everyone listened. Just how I know you are listening now. Rest peacefully dear friend.”

3 FuneralTimes FuneralTimes| |11

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FuneralTimes | 15

Driving Excellence in Funeral Service How the IAFD is strengthening governance, compliance, and sustainability in a changing profession.

T

he Irish Association of Funeral Directors (IAFD) is moving decisively to ensure its members continue to receive best-in-class support while the sector faces growing operational demands.

At the heart of this transformation is the Excellence Programme — the association’s flagship initiative for raising professional standards.

Recognising that this programme was under-resourced, the IAFD Board has committed to recruiting additional administrative support to ensure

it runs smoothly and effectively.

Delivering a quality service requires foresight, planning, and investment. Leadership renewal is also on the agenda. Working with not-for-profit recruitment specialists Boardmatch, the IAFD is seeking a new Chair and Independent Directors to strengthen governance and bring fresh expertise in finance, strategy, and compliance.

Alongside this, a full GDPR audit is scheduled for August to ensure the association continues to meet the highest standards in data protection.

Finally, in recognition of rising operational and compliance costs, the Board is exploring new revenue streams. The goal is clear: to secure the long-term sustainability of the IAFD and the services its members rely on.

Caring for the Carers: Emotional Wellbeing in Funeral Service Why mental health is essential for sustaining compassion in the profession.

For funeral professionals, being present for families during their most difficult moments is both a privilege and a challenge. Over time, constant exposure to grief and trauma can take a toll, leading to emotional fatigue, disrupted sleep, and a sense of detachment from one’s work.

The IAFD is encouraging open, honest conversations about mental health — recognising that supporting the supporters is vital to the sector’s long-term strength.

Practical steps can make all the difference: • Taking regular breaks from emotionally intense situations • Encouraging peer check-ins and team support • Providing access to counselling or Employee 16 | FuneralTimes

Assistance Programmes (EAPs) • Offering training in grief literacy and trauma-informed care — for both clients and self-care Prioritising mental health isn’t weakness — it’s a foundation for effectiveness and compassion.

Resources such as Aware and Mental Health Ireland in the Republic of Ireland, and Lifeline and Action Mental Health in Northern Ireland, are available to those who need support.

By fostering a workplace culture where emotional wellbeing is openly discussed, funeral professionals can preserve both their resilience and their capacity to provide exceptional care.

Building Skills for Tomorrow: The Funeral Director Certificate Award How the FDCA is shaping the next generation of funeral service professionals.

T

he Irish Association of Funeral Directors’ Funeral Director Certificate Award (FDCA) is more than just a training programme — it’s a career-defining experience.

The 2024/25 course concluded in May with a rich final session featuring a guided tour of Dardistown Crematorium, a presentation on the IAFD Excellence Programme, and the submission of final assignments. Feedback from participants and tutors was overwhelmingly positive, praising both the engagement and the quality of work throughout the year.

Graduates will receive their certificates at

the IAFD Dinner Dance in November — a celebration of achievement and dedication.

Applications are now open to IAFD Members for the 2025/26 intake, which will focus on: • Arranging and Managing Funerals • Funeral Business Operations and Management • Health and Safety in the Workplace With a blend of classroom learning, assignments, and skills demonstrations, the FDCA equips participants with the knowledge and confidence to excel in a profession that is evolving in both scope and standards.

FuneralTimes | 17

Niamh Sweeney (President) John Sweeney and Sons Fairgreen Arklow, Co Wicklow Ph: 0402 32333 Email: president@iafd.ie Fintan Cooney (First Vice President) Fanagans Funeral Directors 54 Aungier Street Dublin 2 Ph: 01 4167700 Email: fintancooney@fanagans.ie Paul Reilly (Hon. Secretary) Oliver Reilly Ltd Funeral Directors Leinster Street, Maynooth Ph: 045-868230 Email: secretary@iafd.ie Kylie Gourley (Membership Officer) Funeral Partners Northern Ireland 300 Newtownards Road Belfast BT4 1HF Ph: 028 9045 1021 Email: membership@iafd.ie Peter Maguire (Education Officer) Massey Bros Funerals Head office 109 The Coombe, Dublin 8, D08 AK10 Telephone 01 4533333 Email: education@iafd.ie John Mark Griffin (Public Relations Officer & 2nd Vice President) Griffin Funerals John’s Gate Pennywell Limerick Ph: 061 415000 Email: pro@iafd.ie 18 | FuneralTimes

Niall Mulligan (Immediate Past President) Heffernan’s Funeral Directors Trim, Co. Meath Mobile: 086 8208501 Ph: 046 9438662 Email: heffernansfd@gmail.com Tom Lawless Lawless Funeral Directors Mucklagh, Tullamore, Co. Offaly Ph: 057 9322622 Email: info@tullamorefunerals.ie Dara Gillespie Finlays Funeral Service Tierney Street Ardee, Co. Louth Mobile: 086 7923472 Email: dara.gillespie@finlaygrp.com Donal Forde Fordes Funeral Homes Ltd South Gate Bridge Cork, Co. Cork Ph: 021 4318222 Email: donal@fordesfuneralhome.ie Jane Clarke Staffords Funeral Directors 60 North Strand Road, Dublin 3.

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INSTITUTE OF

CIVIL FUNERALS

Hospital charity given donation to buy special cot

Funeral Manager Barbara Wilson, Dr Julieanne Maney, Mary McCall from Little Heroes and Emma Moore, Funeral Partners’ Area Development Manager are pictured at the cheque presentation.

J

ames Brown and Sons Funeral Directors, which is part of Funeral Partners family of funeral homes, have funded a CuddleCot to help bereaved parents and carers at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.

Emma Moore, Area Development Manager for Funeral Partners, presented a cheque for £1,250 to the hospital’s Little Heroes charity.

The charity was established by the medical staff with the aim of helping the children in their care. Increasing pressures on the NHS make it essential to find additional sources of revenue to provide equipment, fund research and education for paediatric clinicians and support the immediate needs of children and their parents.

A CuddleCot is a cooling 24 | FuneralTimes

device which helps bereaved parents spend more time with their child to say goodbye.

As well as the donation for the CuddleCot, Emma Moore and Funeral Manager Barbara Wilson presented Consultant Dr Julieanne Maney with gift baskets for the doctors’ tearoom.

Emma said: “It meant a lot to us to support the incredible work Little Heroes is doing, and to stand alongside the compassionate team at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children. Their dedication and

care make a real difference, and we’re honoured to support their charity.”

Tom Boyd, Head of Philanthropy & Corporate Relationships for Little Heroes, said: “We are very grateful for the donation from James Brown and Sons Funeral Directors. This invaluable piece of equipment gives grieving parents the precious gift of time with their baby, allowing them to make lasting memories and say goodbye in their own time. This provides comfort during an unimaginably difficult period.”

NAFD Northern Ireland welcomes new President Emma Moore has proudly stepped into the role of President of the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) in Northern Ireland.

Emma, who started her career at Mulhollands Funeral Directors in Carrickfergus, which is now part of Funeral Partners, joined the NAFD Northern Ireland Executive three years ago as Vice Chairperson and has since played an active role in shaping the association’s direction and strategy.

She has assumed the position previously held by Stephen Larkin, whose contributions helped guide the NAFD through key developments.

Emma said: “I am honoured to be taking over the Presidency from Stephen to continue the vital work on behalf of the profession. There are many pressing matters affecting Funeral Directors here in Northern Ireland, such as the ongoing issue around PSV driver requirement, that need the NAFD’s voice and support.

“I am thankful to my colleagues and Funeral Partners for their continued support and encouragement to enable me to give of my best to the NAFD.” Emma’s appointment is an example of Funeral Partners’ continued focus on industry standards, community leadership, and professional growth.

Funeral Partners’ CEO Sam Kershaw said: “We are delighted

Emma Moore is pictured with former President Stephen Larkin and Andrew Judd, NAFD CEO to celebrate Emma’s latest achievement and recognise the exceptional contributions she continues to make within Funeral Partners Northern Ireland, to our clients and colleagues. Her dedication, professionalism, and passion truly embody the values we stand for.”

In her role of Area Development Manager for Funeral Partners, Emma plays a key role in ensuring families receive exceptional service and developing the homes she oversees through strong team leadership, business awareness and active community engagement.

Emma’s interest in the funeral profession began after the passing of her grandfather. The care and compassion shown by the team in Mulhollands Funeral Directors in Carrickfergus, part of Funeral Partners Northern Ireland, left a lasting impression and inspired her to build a career in funeral services. In 2010 she joined Mulhollands as a funeral arranger, beginning her journey of supporting families with the same kindness she once experienced.

“Mulhollands is now one of the branches I manage, so in some ways I have come full circle,” Emma said.

FuneralTimes | 25

Team step up for cancer support charity inspired by colleague’s journey

A

team of funeral professionals strapped on their walking boots to raise more than £2,500 for a charity which gives adults battling cancer some vital respite.

The management team at Funeral Partners Northern Ireland raised funds for Hope House Ireland with a 10km sponsored walk.

Their efforts were inspired

by Regional Support Manager Emma-Jayne McClure, who spent a weekend at Hope House Ireland’s accommodation with her husband last year, in the midst of her battle with breast cancer.

Based in Browns Bay, between Carrickfergus and Larne, Hope House Ireland offers people with cancer and their families a free break in a beautiful location.

Emma-Jayne’s stay came shortly after her final chemotherapy session, following a referral to the charity by a colleague.

“Chemotherapy takes it out of you, and I was feeling really quite poorly. However, the weekend was just what I needed.

“When you’re living with cancer, you have to juggle your health issues, your life at home, all the hospital appointments, and, for me, putting on a brave face in front of my daughter.

“Having some time at Hope House meant I didn’t have anything else to worry about for those four days except my health. It also gave me the chance to have conversations with my husband that we simply

26 | FuneralTimes

hadn’t had the opportunity to have in recent weeks.”

Emma-Jayne used the stay as a mental reset, reflecting on her chemotherapy journey and preparing for her upcoming surgery, which removed the cancer.

Shortly after Dawn McConnell from Hope House Ireland with the procedure, Emma-Jayne McClure and Beverley Brown from she joined her Funeral Partners colleagues at Funeral Partners tried to have a positive mindset for the 10km sponsored walk throughout.” through Antrim Castle Gardens.

Hope House Founder Trustee “Truthfully, I didn’t know Dawn McConnell BEM said: “We whether I was going to be able would like to say a huge thank to do it,” Emma-Jayne said. you to Emma-Jayne and to all “But once again, it was another her colleagues who took part in milestone to aim for, and I was the sponsored walk. so proud to complete it and give “We were truly overwhelmed something back to the charity.” to receive the fantastic amount “One of my biggest worries was of £2,600 which will go towards finances, because you just don’t the running costs of Hope know what’s around the corner, House. and that means you don’t want “We could not provide these to commit any money towards a free recuperation breaks without short break. the amazing Hope Champions “If we can help the charity who fundraise for us, as we continue to offer this service depend totally on public for free, then it was definitely donations. worth it.”

“We are so grateful for this Since the walk, Emma has support which will help us continued radiotherapy and continue to provide rainbows of immunotherapy treatment with Hope to help people cope who the aim of preventing the cancer are navigating their way through from returning. a cancer journey.”

“It has been difficult, but I have

Third largest Funeral Service Provider in the UK. Over 280 branches, 140 family businesses.

Take time out, ¿QG \RXU EDODQFH Funeral Partners is growing faster than ever before, supported by our family’s strength. Offering a safe pair of hands and a secure future with our commitment to high standards.

As a business owner, take control to protect your legacy Sam Kershaw Chief Executive Officer 07834 531822 sam.kershaw@funeralpartners.co.uk Steve Wilkinson Mergers & Acquisitions Director 07528 970531 steve.wilkinson@funeralpartners.co.uk

Your reputation is our reputation

p

p

-VY HU PUMVYTHS JVUÄKLU[PHS MYLL valuation or conversation about selling your business now, or in the future, call Sam or Steve corporate.funeralpartners.co.uk

FuneralTimes | 27

We are pleased to offer this one of a kind Scania Truck Hearse for rent nationwide

This Truck Hearse will add a unique and fitting final tribute to any funeral For all inquiries and to learn more, please contact

Thomas Clarke Carriages on T:085 2844782

By Mark Feehan

From One Funeral to Many.

Turning Care into Connection I

f you think referrals will keep flowing just because you’ve always been there, I’ll be straight with you: That’s not how the next generation chooses a funeral director.

This column isn’t for those who are happy waiting for the phone to ring.

It’s for the ones who know the way you care after the funeral could be the most powerful marketing you’ll ever do.

CRMs Can be Overwhelming and Costly.

If you’re unsure where to start, I can point you in the right direction. We’re currently trialling a low-cost solution built with the funeral industry in mind. Once it delivers on its promises, I’ll share the details if you want to contact me.

CRM: Remember Every Date That Matters A CRM (Customer Relationship Manager) is your memory for the moments that build trust. A CRM is like a careful diary that remembers every family you’ve helped, their details, wishes, and special requests, so you can give them the right care, at the right time, without ever forgetting anything important.

Partner locally to offer: • A coffee and cake voucher at a nearby café • A reduced-rate session with a grief counsellor or wellness retreat • A small keepsake crafted locally

Picture your care continuing, quietly and meaningfully, at exactly the right moment, before every Month’s Mind, birthday, anniversary.

“Hi Mary — just to say we’re thinking of you this week, remembering John fondly.”

That’s not marketing. That’s care made visible.

Why it works: • It’s proactive. You show up before they expect you • It’s personal. Not a generic newsletter blast • It’s memorable. They’ll tell others about the gesture

Surprise & Delight Families don’t expect anything after the funeral.

Which is exactly why you should.

Handled with sensitivity, these aren’t “perks” they’re continuations of care. They strengthen relationships, and yes, can open additional revenue streams for your business. You are the families most trusted partner, imagine if you could suggest products and supports that also helped your business grow.

Family and Friends Remember At a client of ours James Falconer in Tramore, Co. Waterford, we found new ways to ask families gentle, open questions like: • “What’s one memory that always makes you smile?”

• “What was their greatest gift to the people they loved?”

• “What was his/her favourite song?”

FuneralTimes | 29

We turn their answers into a short, shareable tribute, posted on our website and social channels. Follow James Falconer Undertakers on Facebook to see examples.

Some posts have been viewed by over 100,000 people. That’s not advertising.

That’s the family’s remembrance story, and it travels further than most paid campaigns.

Keep Posting Simple and Relevant Posting isn’t about flooding feeds. It’s about staying present.

Three simple rules: 1. Nominate one person to post for you 1–2 times per week 2. Use Google Trends and Keyword Planner to see what your community is searching for 3. Share human stories, local updates, and useful resources, not just death notices When your posts match what people are already curious about, algorithms work for you.

Offer Interactive Memorials QR codes on headstones can link to videos, playlists, or photo galleries, a fast-growing trend in Ireland. Digital memorial pages are also becoming popular. They’re a simple, lasting way to preserve stories, easy for families to set up, and a service they’ll remember you for recommending.

Quick List of What to do Next • Add all current families to a CRM and set key date reminders • Secure one local partnership offering something meaningful for families • Create a “Family and Friends Remember” question set • Assign weekly posting duties • Research memorial suppliers Book to Read: They Ask, You Answer by Marcus Sheridan Sheridan’s principle is simple: When people have questions, the one who answers them first wins trust.

Three key points from the book: 1. Answer the hard questions. From “How much does a funeral cost?” to “What is the 30 | FuneralTimes

difference between burial and cremation?” if you don’t answer it, someone else will.

2. Educate, don’t sell. Families trust those who help them understand, especially before they need you.

3. Be radically transparent. Costs, processes, timelines, and clarity builds authority.

If you want to own your market, own the answers on Google, and ChatGPT. AI search is the next frontier, be ready to appear as the trusted source. The next 12–24 months will redefine how families find you. Structure your content now so AI can understand and recommend you.

Prepare now, before your competition does.

We’re entering an age where trust begins online.

The future doesn’t send invitations. It builds new rules as it arrives. Care after the funeral isn’t an add-on, it’s the foundation of your future referrals. The funeral directors who get this right won’t just see more families choosing them. They’ll be the ones whose names are spoken with gratitude all over Ireland.

This is an extraordinary moment in history.

Digital marketing and AI tools are here to stay, my job is to make sure your business doesn’t just keep up, but stays ahead.

Welcome to Digital Force.

I hope nobody is reading this.

But if you are… the change starts with you.

Mark Feehan Founder, markfeehan.com

BIE News BIE News Ireland Division Hi All, I hope everyone had a wonderful summer and are preparing for a crisp winter.

I want to say another huge thank you to everyone who attended our 2nd meeting in the Viking Hotel, Waterford City on the 25th May 2025.

We had a great guest speaker, Mr. Frank McMahon from McMahon Accountants & Auditors in Kildare, Sandyford and Naas.

It was a pleasure to welcome Frank with all his knowledge and advice.

It was a great setting for our members and especially our students who are nearing their qualifications! Thanks again Frank I’ll be sure to recommend your services! Overall the

day was fantastic to catch up with people, and throw a few ideas around.

Our next meeting will be held at The Hamlet Court Hotel, Johnstown Bridge, Co. Kildare on the 19th October 2025, This is our final meeting of the year. So it would be great to see as many members as possible and see this year out on a high!

Have you experienced anything new or found a new mix that works for you? We would love to know! Sharing is caring as they say!

Let’s meet up and have an open discussion about all things embalming. Save the date and see you there!

I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone again!

BIE Irish Chairperson

Niamh Cusack

32 | FuneralTimes

List of BIE Officers and Appointed Representatives for 2025/2026 IRISH DIVISION Chairperson, Divisional Liaison Officer & 2nd National Council Rep: Niamh Cusack MBIE Ballingowan West, Villierstown, Cappoquin, Co. Waterford.

Tel: 086 3744762 E: cusackembalmings@gmail.com Vice Chairperson: Gillian O’Shea Magnh, Fenor South, Tramore, Co. Waterford Tel 086 0685591 E: gillianosheabie@gmail.com Secretary & Public Relations officer: Sarah Roe 4. Thorndale Park, Arthane Dublin D05 T9H0 Tel: 085 7313237 E: sarah.roe.embalming@gmail.com 1st National Council Rep & National Educational Rep: Cyril Gantley MBIE 336 Kildare Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12 Mobile: 085 7671582 E: cyril.gantley@mortuary-science.ie Treasurer and Professional Standards Rep: Susan Moran MBIE 20 Cedarwood Park Newbridge, Co. Kildare Mobile 086 0619500 E.susan.moran@mortuary-science.ie

NORTHERN IRELAND DIVISION NI Chairman: David Rice MBIE Milne Funeral Services 59 Seagoe Road, Portadown BT63 5HS Tel: 07811 109343 Email: contact@milnefuneralservices.co.uk NI Vice Chairman: Nicholas Gormley MBIE Unit 5, 3 Main Street, Maghera BT46 5AA Tel: 07761 500902 Email: support@gms-ni.com

NI Secretary: Jamie Carnahan MBIE S. Clarke & Son Funeral Directors 12 Court Square, Newtownards BT23 7NY Tel: 028 9181 2168 Email: jamie@sclarkeandson.co.uk

NATIONAL UK DIVISION

NI Treasurer: Andrew McMullan MBIE 22 High Street, Ballymoney Co. Antrim BT53 6AQ Tel: 028 2766 2265 E: andrew@mcmullanfunerals.com

1st Vice National President: Maria Stibbards

NI Public Relations Offcer: Ciaran Bailie MBIE 27 Navan Court Armagh Tel. 07523 477852 ciaranbailie@googlemail.com

National General Secretary: Gareth Doherty

NI Student Liaison Officer Charlie Poots MBIE NI 1st National Council Representative: Laurence O’Neill MBIE 98 Stewartstown Road, Belfast BT11 9JP Tel: 028 9062 0099 E: oneill8210@hotmail.com NI 2nd National Council Representative: Mrs Barbara Fowley, MBIE Killakee, Rockbrook Rathfarnham, Dublin 16 Telephone: 00353 (0)86 1911022 Email: barbarafowley@yahoo.ie

President: Mr Edward William-Price MBIE Imm. Past National President: Mrs Rachel Shipley MBIE

2nd Vice National President: Karen Caney FBIE National PRO Ben Whithworth

National Treasurer: Michael Liddle FBIE 10 Yew Tree Close, Silsoe MK45 4EQ Tel: 01525 860117 E: michaelliddle914@gmail.com Editor: Gwen Schofield FBIE 9 Seymour Walk, Meltham, Holmfirth HD9 4BP Home Tel: 01484 851994 Mobile: 07778 279100 E: gwen.schofield@ntlworld.co.uk Master Fellow: Karen Caney FBIE Student Liaison Officer: Adrian Walters MBIE Tel: 01564 778991

NI Professional Standards Rep: Pat Harley, MBIE 67 Creggan Road, L’derry BT48 9DA Tel: 07712 899137 E: pat.harley@hotmail.co.uk NI 1st Educational Committee Representative: Deborah McConnell MBIE James Brown & Sons 300 Newtownards Road, Belfast Tel: 028 9045 1021 E: jamesbrown.belfast@funeralpartners. com

FuneralTimes | 33

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BEHIND THE HEADLINES SUPPORTING FAMILIES AFTER TRAGEDY

W

hen we hear about a murder or violent crime in Ireland—whether in the North or South—it often comes to us as a brief headline, a statistic, or a fleeting mention in the news. What we don’t see is the aftermath: the devastation for families left behind, the ripple effect across communities, and the quiet, unseen work of trying to restore some sense of dignity to the home or place where tragedy occurred.

In Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, the reality is stark: every year, lives are lost to violence. Behind each figure is a grieving family who never expected to have to navigate the horror of a crime scene in their own home. In these moments, families are often left not only with unimaginable emotional pain but also with the practical burden of what comes next.

This is where specialist cleaning comes in. It is something few people think about until they are faced with it, but it is an essential service.

Crime scene cleaning is not just about restoring a property—it is about helping a family begin the long process of healing. Walking back into a space where a loved one has died violently can be deeply traumatic. By ensuring these environments are cleaned with care, discretion, and respect, we hope to lessen even a fraction of the distress.

It is important that funeral directors, clergy, and support workers know this service exists and can gently let families know that they do not have to face it alone. Many do not realise that professional help is available, and instead they try to cope themselves at a time when they should be allowed to grieve.

At Specialist Cleaning NI, we often say our work is not really about cleaning—it is about compassion.

36 | FuneralTimes

Behind every call is a family whose world has been turned upside down. By stepping in quietly, doing the necessary work, and leaving a space safe and dignified, we give families one less thing to carry in their grief.

While we cannot take away the pain of such loss, we can help shoulder the burden in those first raw days after tragedy. And sometimes, that small act of care can make all the difference.

REAL NUMBERS, REAL TRAGEDIES Northern Ireland, the situation remains especially troubling when it comes to violence against women.

Between 2019 and 2024, 31 women were killed in incidents broadly classified as femicides, a rate alarmingly high by European standards. In 2024 alone, there were seven domestic abuse–related murders, six of which involved female victims— more than double the figure of the previous year.

These figures underline a gendered vulnerability that demands urgent attention. A prominent Northern Ireland charity recently warned that despite the region’s smaller population, it accounts for

around 40% of femicides across Ireland—a figure both shocking and unacceptable. More recently, heartbreaking and tragic cases have deepened public outrage and intensified calls for stronger protections.

WHY FUNERAL PROFESSIONALS MATTER Behind every death notice, every service announcement, is a family grappling with grief—and often with fear. Families may feel isolated, ashamed, scared and unsure how to proceed. That’s where funeral directors, clergy, counsellors, and support workers can step in, not just with service logistics, but with compassion—and vital information.

It’s not enough to say, “We’re here for you.” We must also gently let families know: • Support exists. Crime-scene cleaning, emotional and practical assistance and guidance through these steps is available.

• They are not alone. In moments of pain, knowing help exists—even if it isn’t needed— can bring unimaginable solace.

•

We stand with them. Our role transcends ceremony: it’s about dignity, respect, and emotional relief when they need it most.

A MESSAGE OF CARE When tragedy and loss strike in both North and South, you, as funeral professionals, hold a unique position. You can weave warmth and clarity into your words. You can spare families an additional burden amidst grief by simply letting them know: “We’ve arranged for a specialist team to ensure the environment is safe for your return. You don’t need to worry about that right now—we’re here to help.”

Each homicide is a stark reminder of vulnerability— but our response can reflect strength, compassion, and unwavering support.

My business and my passion is to help take the visual trauma away for these people, please make sure you let the families know that myself and others carry out this important role.

Alana x

Specialist

Cleaning

SPECIALIST CLEANING SERVICES FOR AFTER A DEATH

We understand sometimes the circumstances of a death can be unpleasant and very traumatic. Unfortunately this can also mean needing a specialist cleaning service.

You can now offer our specialist services within your arrangements.

Discreetly and respectfully we clean up all manner of incidents. specialistcleaningni.com | info@specialistcleaningni.com Tel: 07522 921299

Alana Gillen SC 128x93mm.indd 1

| 37 FuneralTimes 28/09/2023 09:54

Welcoming New Partners: Ford Norwood Hybrid Classic Hearse Joins W T Morrison Fleet

C

oleman Milne is pleased to welcome W T Morrison as a new customer with the successful delivery of a Ford Norwood Hybrid Classic Hearse.

This quality used vehicle represents the beginning of what we anticipate will be a valuable long-term partnership with this well-established funeral business.

The Ford Norwood features essential professional specifications including illuminated signage for clear identification, an elegant glass roof providing natural illumination, and comprehensive air conditioning for yearround comfort. Navigation requirements are handled through integrated sat nav technology, while practical coverboards ensure versatile functionality for varied service needs.

Under the management of Keith and Florence Elliott, W T Morrison has built a strong reputation through personal service and attention to detail. W T Morrison selected Coleman Milne for their proven expertise in providing quality funeral vehicles that meet exacting professional standards. As a longstanding independent funeral business with deep roots in Enniskillen, they recognised the importance of partnering with a supplier who understands the demands of serving local communities.

“As part of the process, we visited the Coleman Milne factory to personally select our chosen hearse. It was a valuable opportunity to see firsthand the craftsmanship and care that goes into each vehicle. We were thoroughly impressed with the professionalism of the team 38 | FuneralTimes

and the quality of work on display.” Said Keith Elliott “We are delighted with the finished Norwood Hybrid Hearse and look forward to putting it into service, confident that it will meet the high standards expected by the families we serve.”

The Ford Norwood Hybrid will handle funeral services across the Enniskillen area, providing families with reliable, dignified transport during difficult times. We’re honoured that W T Morrison chose Coleman Milne for this important addition to their fleet. This delivery represents the beginning of our partnership with W T Morrison, and we look forward to providing continued support for their fleet requirements.

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 one’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

Dignity in Motion: The 1940’s Rolls -Royce Hearse Available for Funeral Hire – With Professional Chauffeur

F

or families, a final journey is more than transportation – it is a moment of profound respect. Cassidy Chauffeur Drive’s 1940’s Rolls-Royce Hearse offers Funeral Directors an opportunity to provide not just a service, but an unforgettable experience of dignity and tradition.

Handcrafted in an era when Rolls-Royce set the global standard for elegance, this

magnificent hearse combines classic design with a quiet, commanding presence. It’s graceful lines, polished chrome detailing and unrivalled craftsmanship bring a sense of reverence to every procession. Available, for funeral hire, the 1940’s Rolls-Royce Hearse offers: • Prestige & Tradition – A symbol of respect that enhances the reputation of your service.

• Unmatched Elegance – A classic Rolls-Royce presence that families will remember.

• A Touch of History – Linking generations with a timeless tribute to a life well lived.

When entrusted with a family’s most solemn moments, your choice of Hearse speaks volumes. With Cassidy Chauffeur Drives 1940’s Rolls-Royce, you ensure their loved one’s final journey is marked with honour, style and grace.

For bookings and enquires, contact Cassidy Chauffeur Drive today on 01-4501533 or 087 2567822 and let history drive your service forward.

40 | FuneralTimes

CASSIDY CHAUFFEUR DRIVE

Newly Restored 1940’s Rolls Royce Hearse For Hire Our recently restored 1940’s Rolls Royce Hearse is available for hire to Funeral Directors, along with one of our drivers, throughout the country.

13 Knockmitten Lane, Western Industrial Estate, Dublin 12 Phone: 01 4501533 / Mobile: 087 2567822

Celebrating 40 years of service: Brendan Murphy Funeral Arranger at Fanagans Funeral Directors

B

rendan Murphy has been a valued part of Fanagans Funeral Directors – which operates across 13 locations in Dublin - for more than four decades.

Originally from Clontarf, Dublin, Brendan spent over three decades in the Aungier Street branch, where he worked alongside respected colleagues - Gerry Brennan, Pearse Mullarkey, and David Lowther, with Pearse and David still serving in the business today. In 2016, Brendan brought his wealth of experience to Kirwans Funeral Directors (part of the Fanagan Group) in Fairview, where he continues to support families with calm compassion, and kindness.

Brendan is guided by three personal mottos: Love, Care, and Respect. “Love,” he explains, refers to his deep enjoyment of connecting with people. “Care” represents his commitment to supporting families at one of the most vulnerable times in their lives. And “Respect” is about honouring every family’s unique needs and ensuring the wishes of their loved one are fulfilled with dignity.

Among the many poignant moments in his career, Brendan recalls being involved in the Air India Disaster in 42 | FuneralTimes

L-R: Bryan Murphy (CEO) and Brendan Murphy (Funeral Arranger) June 1985, just two months after joining Fanagans. “It was my first major experience,” he says. “I was involved in the paperwork when Fanagans were entrusted to care for 129 of the victims.” It was a deeply formative experience that shaped his understanding of the funeral profession.

Brendan has witnessed tremendous changes in the sector over four decades, from the shift to computerised systems to the introduction of live streaming services and more personalised funerals that truly celebrate a person’s life. “More families are opting for one-day funerals now,” he notes, “with a gathering in the funeral home the night before,

rather than in the church.”

His connection with the funeral world, however, began even before his time at Fanagans. Brendan worked from 1969 to 1985 in the office and grounds in Glasnnevin Cemetery and lived for a short time in the Gardeners Lodge and was asked to patrol the grounds with his two Alsatian dogs while the Crematorium was being built. He also worked in their Monument works, selling headstones, and notably, became the first person to be married to Breda Lynam in 1982 in Glasnevin Cemetery Chapel which had been renovated for Cremation Services.

This personal milestone

reflects Brendan’s deep-rooted association with meaningful, respectful spaces for life’s most important moments.

That same reverence for meaningful spaces lives on today in Fanagans’ new stateof-the-art chapel in Fairview, where Brendan works. Offering a full funeral service under one roof from gatherings

to full-service funerals the chapel represents a modern continuation of the values Brendan has upheld throughout his career.

As he celebrates 40 years with the Fanagan Group, Brendan’s legacy is not just in the funerals he has arranged, but in the quiet professionalism, empathy,

care, and respect he has shown to every family he’s met along the way.

For more information about Fanagans Funeral Directors visit www.fanagans.ie

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FuneralTimes | 43

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What To Use

& When To Use It

By Tim Collison, CFSP

CFSP can be hypodermically injected into areas where Several years After attending many, By manyTim DodgeCollison, seminars it will stop the spread of the bacteria into over the course of my career, you learn to ago, Dodge saw surrounding OverThe the cauterant years, embalmers anticipate questionsseminars that will be asked discolorations ortissue. bruising. action After many, certain many Dodge the need for aattending have developed their own uses and applications by of themy audience. the most chemical which of Basic Dryene helps seal off leaking, while the over the course career,One youoflearn to frequently for this product.

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As those difference, andbleaching, what areand their specific drying, which is why it will often applications? be used in the restoration of trauma victims.

Traumatized tissue willareoften First, all three versions of Dryene acidleak body fluids embalming, as well as exhibit discolorations based. You mayafter recall from your chemistry or bruising. The cauterant action of Basic Dryene classes that carbolic acid another name for helps seal offisleaking, while the bleaching action phenol. Less recognizable would bewith milder and packs or lightens discolorations external subcutaneous hypodermic injection. less caustic acids such as acetic, salicylic, andAdditionally, embalmers willphenol, often is usetheboth citric acid. Carbolic acid, or mainpacks and hypodermic injection to reduce swollen tissue. active ingredient in Basic Dryene.

As organ and tissue donation has increased, we Basic Dryene’s properties include see more Basic Dryenecauterization, being used to minimize leakage and provide additional For bleaching, and drying, which is why it willpreservation. often localized treatment of tissue gas, Basic Dryene SynGel HV and Dryene II Gel comparison be used in the restoration of trauma victims.

Traumatized tissue will often leak body fluids

The Dodge Magazine after embalming, as well as exhibit 46 46 || FuneralTimes FuneralTimes

16 SynGel HV and Dryene II Gel comparison

who have used it have found, Dryene II will cauterize and bleach tissue without the odor and hazard of phenol. While it does not have the same bactericidal action against tissue gas as Basic Dryene, for bleaching and cauterization Dryene II works as well, is more pleasant to use, and is not hazardous to ship.

So that leaves us with Penetrating Dryene, the least understood member of the Dryene family and the one which initiates the most questions as to its uses. As with Dryene II, Penetrating Dryene does not have phenol in the formulation, instead using less caustic acids.

One significant difference from the previously mentioned Dryenes is that Penetrating Dryene is not made to cause tissue bleaching. Specifically, Penetrating Dryene is meant to be used to treat unbroken skin surfaces, especially if there is edema present or skin slip is a threat.

We have all seen elderly individuals whose skin surfaces have become detached from the underlying dermis, and skin slip is ready to happen at any time. These are examples of issues where Penetrating Dryene can be used most effectively. As indicated by its name, Penetrating Dryene will penetrate the epidermal surface and dry the underlying tissue.

Additionally, it also has a deodorizing property which works well for packs applied to treat odorous and moisture retaining areas such as the genitals.

PRESERVATIVE GELS Preservative gels such as Dodge’s SynGel HV (High Viscosity) have been present in embalming in one form or another for a long time. In most cases, these osmotic gels consist of formaldehyde suspended in a high viscosity gel and are applied to either surface tissue, or dissected tissue to provide additional preservation and firming.

SynGel HV has demonstrated penetration and preservation of muscle tissue from ¼”- ½” when applied on the surface. Since some bleaching can occur, Dodge recommends SynGel HV be applied primarily to non-viewed areas of the deceased.

Within the past several years, SynGel HV has been a preferred treatment for the preparation of organ and tissue donors, especially if fullthickness or split-skin donation has occurred.

Prior to beginning arterial embalming, SynGel

Penetrating Dryene is meant to be used to treat unbroken skin surfaces, especially if there is edema present or skin slip is a threat.

HV is applied to the location of the skin recovery and left in place until the deceased is readied for clothing. If long bone recovery has taken place, SynGel HV application in conjunction with hypodermic injection of preservative solution can aid in the embalming of areas where the circulatory system may have been disrupted.

For additional preservation of areas which may be viewed by the public, Dodge recommends the application of Kaloform. This osmotic preservative blend uses a massage cream base to protect delicate tissue while providing preservative action through the formaldehyde component. This makes Kaloform a suitable selection for use in soft spots on the face or hands, as it will not significantly bleach the tissue, provides good preservation and firming, and keeps the areas moisturized. While some embalmers will use a cavity pack for areas on the face or hands that need additional preservation, this can dehydrate and leatherize the tissue, making cosmetic applications a challenge.

As a departure from standard osmotic gels, Dodge developed Dryene II Gel. Similar in action to Dryene II, Dryene II Gel provides cauterization and bleaching without the use of phenol. This enables Dryene II Gel to be shipped as a non-hazardous product, avoiding HazMat fees. The most common use of Dryene II Gel has been as a treatment for skin donation.

By replacing phenol with less aromatic and caustic acids, Dryene II Gel can be applied after embalming to cauterize and dry the tissue and since there is no chemical odor, a unionall can then be used with the gel still in place to continue the drying and preservative action.

FuneralTimes 47 FuneralTimes || 47

Dryene II Gel can be applied after embalming to cauterize and dry the tissue and since there is no chemical odor, a unionall can then be used with the gel still in place.

Adding a drying powder such as Dodgesorb or Viscerock Plus FF to the unionall provides additional protection from leakage.

Feature Builder There are two versions of Dodge Feature Builder, Regular and Firming. While there generally is no confusion between the two, it is worth explaining the differences, and effectiveness of each. Tissue building products vary with each company in funeral service. In the case of Dodge Feature Builders, a chemical which reacts with water and a solvent are incorporated into a solution that can be injected hypodermically into tissue. Dodge Feature Builders are formulated to cure quickly and completely so it will not leak back out of the opening where the hypodermic needle was inserted. In situations where there is a small amount of backflow due to the volume that was injected, simply placing a pad of wet cotton over the opening will stop the leak.

Feature Builder Firming contains a percentage of formaldehyde so preservation can be obtained in areas where tissue building is

needed. Examples of where this might be needed would include emaciated remains, especially if the cheekbones or forehead have little muscle tissue present and dehydration is a concern. Areas of soft tissue in the face can be addressed with the injection of a small amount of Feature Builder Firming, as well as areas of the hands that lack preservation.

While Feature Builder Regular does not contain any ingredient that may cause bleaching, when it does come into contact and cure, it forms a whitish material. If the chemical is injected into very thin tissue, or close to the surface of the epidermis, it may show through the skin.

Keeping the injection deeper into the tissue will eliminate this effect.

Due to the presence of formaldehyde in Feature Builder Firming, bleaching can occur more readily in thin tissue. This can work to the embalmer’s advantage, if bleaching is desired in a bruised area, such as discolored fingertips.

Hopefully, this article will be useful when a question arises as to which bottle to take off the shelf. Just like a carpenter, things go much easier when you have the right tool for the job.

Tim is CEO and Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Dodge.

He is a regular presenter at the Dodge Seminars and is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in the State of Michigan.

If you would like to be added to the mailing list for the complementary Dodge Magazine which is printed quarterly or would like to discuss any of the products mentioned in this article, please contact us on the number below: Shepherds Funeral Supplies, Unit 2A Royal Canal Business Park, Athlone Road, Co. Longford.

Ph. 00353 43 3349702/00353 87 2486668

48 48 || FuneralTimes FuneralTimes

Between funerals; A Celebrant’s Quiet Rituals

By Conor Clear I had a coffee with a fellow celebrant recently and we got talking about the emotional toll that work in the funeral landscape can take.

N

ot in a dramatic way, and not because of any one service in particular; more just that slow accumulation of holding grief, managing tension, and trying to be present for families on a regular basis. She said something that’s stayed with me: “We look after everyone else. But how often do we actually look after ourselves?”

It wasn’t said with frustration, just quiet recognition. A shared knowing. And it made me stop and think; not just about the families I work with, but about myself.

Whether you’re a celebrant, a director, a funeral arranger, an embalmer, or anyone working in this space, you’ll probably know that feeling. You hold it together because it’s your job to hold it together. You listen, you steady the room, you manage the unexpected.

You take it all in and carry it quietly. But in doing that, it’s easy to forget that we’re human too. That what we do has weight. And that

50 | FuneralTimes

emotional weight doesn’t disappear.

This piece isn’t about burnout or boundaries or “how to fix it.” I’m certainly no expert in any of that. It’s just a small reflection, prompted by a conversation that reminded me how important it is to make time for our own replenishment, whatever that looks like.

In my training with the Irish Institute of Celebrants I was given a wonderful grounding in emotional self-care. We were encouraged, and well equipped, to look after ourselves emotionally. Self-care wasn’t an afterthought; it was built into the way we were taught to approach this work. That grounding was invaluable. But as time goes on, and as you find your own feet in the funeral landscape, you start to develop your own ways of managing the emotional rhythm of the job. You discover little rituals, instincts, and responses that suit you, the person you’ve become through this

work, and the person you’re still becoming.

Very early on in my funeral celebrancy journey, driving to or from a funeral, I began to find myself speaking aloud to the person who has died. Just a few words to connect with them. Sometimes it’s a “Are you with me? Let’s do this for your family. Let’s give you a send-off that will give them comfort” or “Look after me today, so that I can look after your family”.

I’ll be really honest here; my attempt at divine connection is always sincerely driven by a desire to get into an appropriate emotional space to conduct the funeral service; but let’s not pretend it’s entirely selfless. It also serves as a divine request for help to make sure everything goes according to plan; the correct music plays, the service keeps to time; and I, in the eyes of the funeral directors and crematorium staff, can walk away from the service with my professional reputation intact.

I think whatever other realm exists has been reasonably kind to me.

More importantly, on the drive home, selfcare and ‘letting go’, as it were, continues. I say, out loud to the deceased “Thank you for looking after me. Fly high, take care, journey on”. Our time together is done. A way of gently releasing it all before moving on to the next person, the next family, the next ceremony.

It’s not a ritual I planned; it just crept in and became part of how I process the work; how I check in and check out.

Then there’s the raised glass; a pint perhaps.

And look the truth is, it’s never really just a pint.

It’s a pause. A moment where I raise a glass (sometimes literally a pint of the ‘black stuff’) and think of the person we’ve just said goodbye to. I might even say a quiet “Sláinte” in their honour. As I leave a family, I often say that I’ll raise a glass to their loved one when I’m next with friends. And I mean it when I say it. It’s often said that stout is an acquired taste and, as I settle into my mid-forties, I think I may have acquired that taste. A well poured pint of plain is a thing of art, and it is a ritual that sits well, after what might have been a busy week of services. My friends often laugh at me and my slightly over dramatic raising of a glass, as I take a long pause, think of the families and souls, who have come in and out of my life over the preceding days; another moment to let them go, and then I split the G.

Now, I’m not suggesting you need to turn to stout every time you’re emotionally spent.

That could become a different kind of article entirely. But there’s something that makes me smile about having a small, ordinary gesture that feels like closure. Something human. Something mine.

What works for one person might not work for another, and that’s the beauty of it. For some, self-care might mean time outdoors between services. For others, it’s having a good debrief with a colleague who understands. Some find comfort in routine; others in something creative, like writing or music or movement.

And sometimes, it’s simply about saying no to that extra service in a packed week, or leaving a longer gap between ceremonies to let yourself come back to centre. None of this has to be big or dramatic. But it does matter. Because even though we all carry this work differently, we still carry it.

So much of this work is about showing up.

Being steady. Being clear. Being kind. But behind all of that, behind the readings, the arranging of the music, the words delivered, the composed tone; is a person who is, in some small way, moved by every life they encounter. And that deserves care, too.

We don’t often talk about what happens after the funeral. What we carry home. What we need to let go of. But maybe it’s worth checking in with ourselves a little more often.

Asking: how am I doing with all of this? What do I need? What helps me come back to myself?

For me, sometimes it’s a quiet word in the car.

Sometimes it’s a pause and a raised glass. And most often, it’s just the quiet reassurance that I did right by a family, that I met them in their grief and offered something steady, thoughtful, and real.

Whatever your version of that is, I hope you’re making space for it. However small. However quiet. However your own.

Sláinte Conor Clear is a funeral celebrant and broadcaster based in Dublin. He works with families to create meaningful funeral services that reflect the personality and values of the person being remembered.

You can find him at www.conorclear.com or on social media on Instagram @ conorclearcelebrant and TikTok @conorclear FuneralTimes | 51

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Saif News Saif News SAIF Northern Ireland meeting to hear about latest funerals market trends Groundbreaking new research conducted by funeral profession consultancy Funeral Solution Expert (FSE) in partnership with SAIF will be presented at the next Northern Ireland SAIF meeting on Thursday, 2nd October.

T

he second annual What is the Real Average Cost of a Funeral in the UK report contains important insights on prices and market trends that independent funeral directors will find useful for their businesses.

Leading the presentation will be SAIF Scotland President Declan Maguire, who has played a key role in the report’s data gathering exercise. The major findings are as follows: According to FSE’s analysis, the widely cited average funeral cost is inaccurate and misleading due to four key issues. First, Sun Life’s Cost of Dying Report relies on flawed data, overestimating expensive traditional burials and excluding lower-cost options like direct cremation.

Second, it incorrectly includes outdated costs such as doctors’ fees, which have been removed in most of the UK. Third, the term ‘simple attended funeral’ is misused, as it incorporates extra costs which are inconsistent with Competition and Markets Authority standards.

Declan Maguire, SAIF Scotland President Fourthly, the ‘simple attended funeral’ average omits more prevalent lower-cost options, such as direct cremation or other emerging funeral types.

Consequently, FSE’s analysis found that an accurate average would be over £500 lower than the reported £4,285. FSE argues that this inflated figure risks misleading consumers into spending more than they need to on insurance cover.

Fascinatingly, FSE’s 2025 report also highlights a tightening competitive

landscape in the direct cremation market, which now accounts for 15.3 percent of all funerals in the UK. While almost all independent funeral directors offer direct cremation, the market remains highly price-sensitive due to competition from national online providers like Pure Cremation.

The price gap between independents (average of £1,873) and national providers (average of £1,254) has narrowed significantly since last year, indicating that independents are making considerable efforts to compete.

This competitive pressure is also affecting national providers, whose ‘at need’ headline prices have risen sharply. The ‘pre need’ market is even more competitive, as Pure Cremation’s funeral plan price is now often more expensive than those offered by independents.

Another important finding from FSE’s research is the significant consumer preference for local service provision, with 75 percent of FuneralTimes | 53

individuals wanting their loved one to be cared for within a 15-mile radius of home.

This expectation is often not met by online direct cremation providers, creating a ‘transparency gap’ that FSE argues must be addressed at the point of sale. The report also found that independent funeral directors remain the UK’s most trusted and preferred choice, with 80 percent of adults choosing a

funeral director to arrange a funeral.

They are consistently viewed as more trustworthy, local, professional and compassionate than online firms, which are often seen as “impersonal”, “remote”, or “inflexible”.

After setting out the main findings of the FSE report, Declan will share recommendations aimed at helping independent funeral

directors to compete in a changing marketplace.

In addition, the SAIF Northern Ireland meeting will hear from SAIF Charter Chair John Byrne on the latest developments at Golden Charter.

There will also be a chance to discuss any outcomes from the second meeting of the recently relaunched AllParty Group on Funerals and Bereavements taking place on 30th September.

SAIF Northern Ireland members will receive an invite to attend the SAIF meeting.

Non-members who wish to participate are encouraged to apply for membership emailing:

info@saif.org.uk for further details.

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The funeral industry may have changed but our passion for supporting our members has remained the same. We represent you on the issues that matter, from improving understanding of funeral pricing to influencing the legislation which affects your future.

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For over 30 years SAIF has been promoting and protecting the interests and values of independent funeral directors. Supporting our members is at the heart of everything we do, listening, responding and engaging to secure your independent future.

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FuneralTimes | 55

Falling into Autumn - By Ian Fee Celebrant Lakelands Funeral Home & Crematorium, Cavan “As long as autumn lasts, I shall not have hands, canvas and colours enough to paint the beautiful things I see.” - Vincent Van Gogh There’s an argument to be made for Autumn being the most beautiful season.

The rebirth of Spring; the vitality of Summer; the expectant waiting of Winter. They all have their own charm, but autumn’s beauty is born of understanding and wisdom, in the acknowledgement that all things pass, that slowing down, growing older and, yes, dying are not be feared. Indeed, they are to be accepted as not just inevitable, but as a most natural part of the circle of life.

Many cultures celebrate during Autumn or Fall with rituals that touch on our connection to death and what may or may not lie beyond.

Mexico’s Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead), the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, the modern holiday of Halloween, the Christian feast of All Souls, and the Harvest festivals celebrated by many faiths and cultures, each of these reflect in different ways on our understanding of our own mortality, of where we have been, of where we are now, of where we may be and of how we will be remembered. As such, they bind us to those who have gone before us, both those we have known and loved, and the countless generations who have shaped and influenced our cultures, faiths and traditions. Even without a spiritual element, Autumn grounds us amidst

58 | FuneralTimes

the dark evenings and crunching leaves to better reflect on the slow dimming of one year’s light before nature decides what will live, what will hibernate, and what will die.

It is a time of year when we look to our creature comforts once more, having packed them away in the freshness of the preceding Spring. Logs for the fire, a blanket for the bed, a soup bowl replacing the salad bowl; we all have our own ways of facing what seems to be the evening of nature’s day. Perhaps there is something in this for those of us in the funeral business. We know all too well that death is not reserved for those who have lived their life-cycle through, those who, like the trees, who are the breath of our world, have lived and worked and spent themselves so that their time of rest is, if not embraced, at least understood.

Sometimes it feels that death disdains nature when we see it mock creation’s gentle calendar, but the Autumn may be the most natural time for us to acknowledge death as we have experienced it and encountered it during the year. A simple message or thoughtful reflection on our social media, a service of remembrance in our funeral home, perhaps even a candle lit in the window of our office for neighbours and clients to see and ask about – all these things speak of our desire to remember, to recognise and respond to this eternal mystery that still and always will evoke equal measures of fear and wonder.

“Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go.” - Unknown

Crematorium, Facilities and Remembrance Garden Memorial Keepsakes

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

Jennifer Muldowney is an International event planner for memorials based in the United States of America. Known as The Glam Reaper, Jennifer blends her extensive education in business, communications, and bereavement with a passion for modern memorial planning. As an award-winning memorial planner and speaker, she has made a significant international impact in the funeral space, advocating for personalised, and environmentally conscious funerals and digital legacies. Check out her Tedx Talk ‘Grief as Unique as your Heartbeat’ and ‘The Glam Reaper Podcast’ or Muldowney Memorials (.com) to learn more.

By Jennifer Muldowney

The elephant in our room Mental health has long been a quiet crisis in our profession. It is spoken about in hushed tones, stigmatised in workplaces, and too often ignored. Funeral professionals step forward for families in their darkest hours, offering compassion, calm and guidance. But when we are the ones in need of that same care, who steps forward for us? Through my work and conversations on The Glam Reaper Podcast, one truth has become clear.

Many in our profession are burned out, emotionally drained and struggling without sufficient support.

There are, however, valuable lessons to be learned from people both inside and outside our sector.

Brent Pope, well known in Irish rugby and broadcasting, is not a funeral director. Yet his personal journey with anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts led him to create The Elephant in the Room, a global art project featuring 62 | FuneralTimes

brightly painted, life-sized elephants to encourage open conversations about mental health. The idea is simple.

Place these elephants in public or professional spaces to show that people are in a safe place to talk. In funeral service, where composure is often expected at all times, a visual cue like this could send a powerful message to staff that it is okay to feel and to seek help.

Sometimes it takes an outside perspective to highlight what we have stopped seeing.

The invisible weight we carry became especially clear during the pandemic. Speaking with Barbara Kemmis, Executive Director of the Cremation Association of North America, and funeral director and author Caleb Wilde, both described the intense strain of working constantly without the recognition often afforded to healthcare workers. “They were essential, but rarely acknowledged,” Barbara told me. The result was burnout,

compassion fatigue and a workforce under pressure to adapt while already stretched to the limit. Barbara emphasised the importance of rituals not only for families but for funeral professionals themselves, to help process grief before it builds up.

Funeral Professional Peer Support (FPPS) is one example of help from within the profession. The group offers a 24/7 helpline, monthly meetings and peer-led support specifically for those working in funeral service. “We are not therapists,” said Kim from FPPS, “but we are people who get it.” Whether you are a funeral director, embalmer, receptionist or crematorium technician, this work leaves its mark. Sometimes you just need to speak with someone who understands.

Suicidologist and educator Dr Sarah Murphy knows the risks. Funeral professionals are repeatedly exposed to traumatic situations and expected to manage them

with calm professionalism.

“Funeral directors are caregivers, but they rarely receive care themselves,” she said. Dr Murphy’s workshops for deathcare workers focus on suicide prevention, language awareness and breaking stigma. She promotes the use of “died by suicide” rather than “committed suicide”, a small change that helps humanise the conversation.

A generational shift is bringing new values to the profession.

Younger funeral professionals, including more women, are calling for transparency, flexibility, work-life balance and emotional wellbeing.

They want to offer meaningful services, from green burials to

highly personalised memorials, without sacrificing their own health. But change is not always welcomed. As Caleb Wilde put it, “The industry must evolve or die.” Those who resist risk losing both families and valued staff.

What We Can Do Creating a healthier approach to mental health in funeral service requires a cultural shift.

Some starting points include: 1. Show it matters: Use symbols such as posters or artwork to signal mental health as a priority.

2. Create safe spaces: Hold regular peer check-ins where people can speak openly.

3. Educate for prevention: Include mental health

and suicide prevention in training.

4. Support the supporters: Promote and fund services like FPPS. 5. Listen to younger voices: Adapt to meet the needs of both families and staff.

6. Keep talking: Use podcasts, articles and meetings to normalise these discussions.

Brent Pope may not work in our profession, but his elephants remind us that mental health is not something to be hidden. It is a shared reality. Funeral professionals are organisers, carers and keepers of ritual, but we are also people who need space to rest, to talk and to heal.

It is time to make that space.

Morning Grave Products, Listillion, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal Tel: 074 9120449 Email: morningdonegal@gmail.com Web: www.morninggraveproducts.ie FuneralTimes | 63

Season S eason 5

The G Glam Reaper Podcast P Podc odc cast a 02.44

CODE: FTIMES

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FuneralTimes | 65

New Mercedes Classic Hearse Delivered to Fifth-Generation Ballymena Funeral Directors

W

e’re delighted to announce the delivery of a Mercedes Classic Hearse featuring advanced hybrid technology to James Henry Funeral Service, a distinguished fifthgeneration family business serving the Ballymena community since 1892.

The AMG Line Premium Petrol Plug-In system offers a 50mile electric range, enabling zero-emission local funeral services while maintaining full performance capabilities.

The hearse combines traditional elegance with modern functionality through its glass roof design, professional grey decking with 3 bearer seat configuration, and distinctive 19-inch alloy wheels. Practical features include illuminated signage for enhanced visibility, climate-controlled air conditioning, and integrated satellite navigation with Bluetooth technology for seamless communication and efficient route planning.

This delivery represents another milestone in our longstanding partnership with James Henry Funeral Service. As existing Coleman Milne customers, their continued trust reflects our commitment to reliable service and vehicles tailored to meet specific operational requirements.

James Henry Funeral Service has built an exceptional reputation over more than 130 years, representing exactly the kind of independent, family-owned business that forms

66 | FuneralTimes

the backbone of funeral service across the UK and Ireland. James Henry Funeral Services understand that quality vehicles are essential to providing families with the dignity and respect they deserve during life’s most challenging moments.

This Mercedes Classic Hearse will serve funeral services throughout Ballymena and the surrounding areas, strengthening a partnership built on shared values and a commitment to serving families with the highest standards of care and professionalism.

We are pleased to offer our motorcycle hearse for rent nationwide

Whether you’re looking to enhance your funeral procession or add a unique and fitting final tribute, our bikehearse is available across Ireland.

Massey Bros For inquiries or to learn more, please don’t hesitate to contact:

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SOME HEAVY DUTY WAKE AMUSEMENTS

By Mattie Lennon

T

he Irish are credited with dealing with death very well. Our wakes are famous all over the world. The late Eamon Kelly once said that the best Irish wakes were held in America and the best American wakes were in Ireland. Be that as it may, in 1921, a time of political and military unrest in Ireland Seán O Suilleabháin, who went on to become Archivist of the Irish Folklore Commission, was a student near Ballina County Mayo. A local person died and Seán accompanied some of his fellow-students to the wake at night.

He was in for a surprise. He later wrote, “Within a short time, the house became more crowded than ever. More people were arriving than leaving. As far as I can recall, no other room except the kitchen was in use for the occasion. Tobacco smoke pervaded the whole place, and everybody was 72 | FuneralTimes

perspiring, as the night was close and heavy. Conversation went on in both Irish and English, and current topics were discussed in the manner usual on such occasions.”

He hadn’t ever experienced a wake like it in his native Kerry. Yes, there were wakes in the Kingdom where clay pipes filled with tobacco were given the mourners and being Kerry there would be witty banter. But what mesmerised Seán and prompted him to do years of research resulting in 192 pages of Irish Wake Amusements, were the “games” which were played in the wake house. “Horseplay” would be too mild a term for most of them. Here’s an example, it’s called Cutting the Timber, “A man lay down across the threshold of the kitchen, feet outside, head within. He was to represent the saw.

Two players now took hold of his feet, while two others caught his head and

shoulders in the kitchen.

They pulled against one another, forward and backwards as if they were sawing wood, until one pair proved too strong for the other.” Just imagine what it was like for the poor fellow playing the part of the saw. And “Cutting the Timber” was one of the milder games.

It would appear that the Catholic Church wasn’t on the side of such activity. The author trawled through records of Synods of Bishops from one in the Archdiocese of Armagh in 1660 to the Diocese if Ardagh and Clommacnoise in 1903 with 11 others on dates in between. None of

them recommended the carryon at wakes.

The author devotes seven pages to listing his sources and an index which left no stone unturned to inform the reader: No matter how well you think you know the Irish wake you will find revelations in this comprehensive work which you couldn’t even dream about.

Irish Wake Amusements was first published, in Irish, in 1961 and six years later in English. Thankfully, it is still available by print on demand from; info@mercierpress.ie

Poetry Corner... Poetry Corner... Poetry Corner... Poetry

TRIBUTE TO A HARPIST (Enniskillen 6 August 2025) Walking along that winding street, I wondered who I might meet, Perhaps a friend to gladly greet.

But from beyond my vision there, Melodies traversed the morning air, Issuing forth with taste and flair.

Then sitting in the old Town Square, I saw a woman playing there, An Irish harp with tender care.

I watched as she caressed the strings, Reminding me of ethereal things, Legend, lore and angel wings.

Reaching, touching, she gently swayed, In rhythm with the chords she played, And thus, a message was conveyed.

To nullify, all stress of heart, Peace, tranquillity, to impart, Through her captivating art.

HM Alexander 15th August 2025

FuneralTimes | 73

What do I have to do?

By Dr Bill Webster Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do!

It was a difficult time in my life. My wife had died, I was a single Dad to two young boys, I had gone back to university to complete my Doctoral work and I didn’t have a steady income. So I had to get a job. A friend of mine gave me a part time position in his company working with charities in fund-raising.

I soon discovered that it was not as easy as it first appeared. But my friend taught me a few strategies, one of which proved quite effective.

Once I had discovered some of the needs we could assist with, I asked what is termed a “qualifying question”: “What do I have to do to earn your business?”

Now, admittedly, it is not for me, a grief counselor, to tell funeral directors how to do their job! But I think that this is a good question for every business to ask in the light of current economic trends. What do YOU have to do to earn THEIR business?

May I suggest several things we can do to accomplish that goal.

I. Emphasize the “WHY” of your Services.

Gone are the days when people came to you because of client loyalty. Customer focus these days seems to be, to put it bluntly “cheap and easy”. And certainly, in these days of economic uncertainty, we can understand that cost is an important factor for many.

But the grief we feel after losing someone is never “easy”, and there is another “cost” which people often don’t realize. It’s the emotional toll of “doing nothing”. Certainly it may be “easier” to try to avoid the reality of a loved one’s death by not having a funeral or having an “unattended” cremation. But that decision 74 | FuneralTimes

comes with a much higher price tag.

Many studies show more people getting “stuck” in their grief, experiencing prolonged or persistent grief, (which is now codified in DSM V). Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) often occurs when people do not have the opportunity to express their grief or receive community support, which are the two essentials of the healing process. That’s what a funeral or ceremony provides.

Imagine the ongoing cost to our health services, health insurance plans or employee assistance programmes, not to mention the ever growing personal cost of grief counselling to individuals.

Can I say something to you as a grief counsellor? I would rather see people spend money on a funeral where they have an opportunity to say a meaningful goodbye, and receive support from friends and family, than to see those same resources used to try to resolve the emotional issues that were created by “cheap and easy”.

My friends, the “WHY” of your service, your raison d’etre, is to provide resources that will enable people to plan for, cope with the death of a loved one, and come to terms with the “new normal” the loss creates.

2. Overcome barriers of reluctance and resistance But here’s the challenge. While death is an inevitable part of life, there is reluctance and a resistance to thinking or talking about it, far less acting upon it. I recently had lunch with a lawyer friend who specializes in estates, who told me that 90% of his business comes from family and estate disputes. He commented, “If only we could find a way to let people know

the kind of problems they will face if there is no will or Powers of Attorney”.

I couldn’t agree more. So, why are people so unwilling to dialogue end of life issues? Maybe it is because we refuse to acknowledge our mortality. How can we encourage families to “Talk” about final wishes and estate issues, when even raising the topic is never easy, comfortable or without tension? Perhaps the solution is not so much “scaring” people into doing it, as asking them the question, “Do you want your family left in a difficult and often challenging situation dealing with the issues of no POA, no funeral plan or wishes, and no will?”

What I am hearing in my grief support programmes, both in Canada and in the UK, is that since COVID, people who had no opportunity to have any ritual or ceremony of farewell have expressed to me that “We wish we had done something different”. And that’s the key. “Doing” something … doing ANYTHING. Because the emotions and thoughts that accompany grief only find outlet in actions.

But how can we create the opportunity for such a discussion?

The question we should be asking of our communities and the people in it is “What do I have to do to earn your business?” And here is what I have seen working:

3. Create an Environment of Goodwill So here it is in a nutshell. People will remember more what you did for them AFTER the service than what you did before or at the time of the service, as important as that was. Because with preneed, they are reluctant and resistant; at-need they are numb and in shock. It’s when you offer assistance and guidance after the loss, service or cremation that you will be remembered more … and lead to them to making you their choice when next the need arises. So, provide a programme of education and expression that places a minimum of effort on your already busy staff.

I can help you with that.

What do I have to do to earn your business, to enable you to earn the business of those who need it most … whether preneed, at need or aftercare?

First you hurt, then you heal Dr. Bill Webster understands grief not just in theory, but also from personal experience. In his book, “First you Hurt, Then you Heal”, Dr. Bill outlines a road map for the grief journey in a series of articles that take us through the process.

He begins with a chapter entitled “I Didn’t Plan for This” that gives people an understanding of what they may experience in the early days after a loss. The book then goes on to give us an understanding of grief, some insights into various situations of loss, and some strategies to help us work through the process.

This book will be a helpful resource for those who are going through a grief process as well as containing much relevant and practical information for those who would like to know what they can say and how they can help someone who has experienced a significant loss. It will also serve as a basic knowledge and layman’s guide for those in the helping professions such as nurses, teachers, funeral directors and those who seek to support grieving people, young and old, through their work. “First you Hurt, Then you Heal” provides practical, down to earth and effective insight into one of the most difficult topics and most misunderstood experiences of life.

First you Hurt, Then you Heal: A Road Map for the Grief Journey (Kindle Edition) is available to buy on Amazon.

FuneralTimes | 75

KIDNEY DISEASE IS RISING - NIKRF want you to look after your kidneys

Keep Your Kidneys Healthy Your Kidneys are complicated and amazing organs that work hard to keep us healthy. Protecting them is essential for long-term health. Learn how simple lifestyle changes can keep your kidneys working properly.

sion Our miseat b o t is Disease Kidney ugh thro h Researc

76 | FuneralTimes

Way e h t g n i t h Lig

tes is mber 1 Chronic Disease

mal od ure: 80

und 50% ople do not w they have ood pressure diabetes

eys.

Every day, in the UK over 20 people start treatment for kidney failure.

Kidney problems often go unnoticed until they’re advanced.

Your urine holds clues — blood or protein in your wee could signal trouble.

5 Ma y 2024

Get regular checkups and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

SUPPORT

Northern Ireland Foods for KidneyThe Health #TeamNIKidney atis the the Kidney Research Fund only charity in NI solely dedicated to Belfast City Marathon advancing research into life-saving

treatments for10 kidney disease.

FREE ENTRY for the first relay teams!

Get in touch 079 0771 4556

For more information Email Susan Kee (NIKRF Chair)

Institute of Clinical Science,

susannikrf@outlook.com Block A,

info@nikidneyresearch.org www.nikidneyresearch.org

Source: Public Health England in association with the Welsh government, Food Standards Scotland and the Food Standards Agency in Northern Ireland

Royal Victoria Hospital Grosvenor Road Belfast BT12 6BA © Crown copyright 2016

Foods to Reduce

This leaflet is for general kidney health and prevention. It is not intended for those already diagnosed with kidney disease.

It is notProcessed a substitute for seeing healthcare professional and it isn't & Fast Foods Do NOT a add salt to food Sugary Drinks & Alcohol Highto in salt & unhealthythe fat advice Recommendation: Increase riskhealthcare of diabetes intended replace given by your kidney 5-6g salt per day and high blood pressure team. Our information is correct at time of publication.

NIC 103849

Terms and conditions apply - please see website for more details. https://nikidneyresearch.org/latest-articles/belfast-marathon-24/

Together we can make a difference

www.nikidneyresearch.org

Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke

The Difference We Make To help us achieve our vision of a healthy Northern Ireland free from chest, heart and stroke illnesses, it’s important we measure the impact of the work we do. This allows us to see what’s really making a difference, helping to focus our attention on key areas while improving others, so we can deliver the most effective services and outcomes.

We recently reviewed the impact our services had throughout 2024/2025 and are proud that over 36,000 people and organisations across Northern Ireland benefitted from our Care and Health Promotion Services.

Below we highlight some of the key impacts of our programmes, services and research projects over the past year. This work would simply not be possible without our wonderful supporters.

As a charity, almost 90% of our income is from public donations. An important part of our income is donations given instead of flowers at funerals. We are deeply grateful for the public’s generosity and the support of local Funeral Directors who tirelessly administrate these donations. Without this support, we couldn’t make such a positive difference to the lives of thousands of people living with chest, heart and stroke conditions in Northern Ireland.

CARE IMPACT • 2,807 people supported by our Care Service programmes:

- 1,765 stroke

- 515 respiratory

- 324 heart

- 203 carers

HEALTH PROMOTION AND PREVENTION IMPACT • 33,464 people and 394 organisations benefitted from our range of health promotion services:

- 8,166 people received a Well Check and 34% were signposted to their GP for additional support

- 22,996 students took part in our school’s programmes 78 | FuneralTimes

- 1,804 employees benefitted from Work Well Live Well, the workplace health and wellbeing support programme we deliver which is funded by the Public Health Agency

FUNDRAISING IMPACT • £3.2 million was raised through public donations and gifts in wills • £332,591 received as donations in lieu of flowers thanks to the help of funeral directors in Northern Ireland

RESEARCH IMPACT • 22 research studies are currently live • £401,105 awarded to new research projects in 2024/25

POLICY AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS IMPACT • We campaigned in support of the Tobacco and Vaping Bill and successfully lobbied for the introduction of a vaping register • Via the All-Party Stroke Group, we highlighted the importance of prevention and pressed the Department of Health on the failure to drive forward with the Stroke Action Plan On behalf of everyone we support, a heartfelt thank you.

For more information, please contact our Supporter Care Team on 028 9026 6743 or email supportercare@nichs.org.uk

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Restoring Floors with Care and Respect A

s funeral directors, you create spaces where families gather to honour their loved ones. Every detail matters—dignity, respect, and presentation. At ISOClean, we understand the sensitivity of your work and bring the same compassion to ours.

Whether it’s marble in your reception areas, marmoleum in corridors, wooden floors in chapels, carpets in family rooms, or specialist deep cleaning of embalming rooms, we provide expert care to restore and maintain every surface. Our work not only enhances appearance but also ensures safety, hygiene, and durability for years to come.

In addition to restoration, we are proud agents for a trusted chemical supplier, meaning we can also provide high-quality cleaning chemicals directly to your funeral home, supporting your

own embalmers with the products they need.

We work with minimal disruption, offering flexible scheduling to suit your needs. From full restorations to ongoing care and essential supplies, our solutions are designed to protect your investment while giving your families the best possible surroundings.

Trust us to treat your building with the same respect you give to those who walk through your doors.

ISOClean – Professional. Reliable.

Compassionate. Contact us today to arrange a consultation on Tel: 086 8914958, email: info@isoclean.ie or visit www.isoclean.ie and discover how we can help you maintain an environment that truly reflects the care you provide.

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CONTACT: Shane 086 8914958

82 | FuneralTimes

info@isoclean.ie / www. isoclean.ie

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2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Hearse For Sale • Fearghas Quinn built • 19,700 miles • E220d - 2.0L Diesel • Full Mercedes-Benz Service History • Immaculate condition • Strobe warning lights • Under-deck drawer • NCT until April 2027 • Available January 2026

€85,500 Contact Emmet on 086-1947787

For Sale MERCEDES E240 2003

66,830 milies, petrol NCT to 6/2/26 tax 05/26 Price on application

For further information please contact Nathan T:085 2179253 (Kildare area)

FuneralTimes | 83

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For Sale

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• New NCT From 20 August 2025 • Selling Due To Upgrade • PRICE: €14,000

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84 | FuneralTimes

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Coleman Milne, 66,226 Miles, black leather seats, A/C vehicle in very good condition, Garaged and still in use, smooth running long MOT, 4.0 L petrol engine.

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• CDI Auto 3DR • 130KM • NCT & Taxed • Selling Due To Upgrade • Immaculate Condition • Always Garaged PRICE ON APPLICATION

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• NCT August 2026 • Good Condition PRICE €10,000

For further information please contact: Tel. 087 2847932

FuneralTimes | 85

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MEMORIAL CHARMS

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for Funeral Professionals • Helping Funeral Directors gain a better online presence, building communities and trust online For more information on what Eimer provides, visit: www.fitsocialmedia.co.uk or Email Eimer at: eimer@fitsocialmedia.co.uk

86 | FuneralTimes

MEANINGFUL GIFTS FOR CLIENTS, FAMILIES AND FRIENDS Tel. 00353 (0)85 247 3842 email: busybeaders2013@gmail.com Instagram: busybeaders_ www.busybeaders.com

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• South Wales based • 24 Hour removal & repatriation service • Long & short distance throughout UK & Ireland • Inclusive of airports & ferry ports • B.I.E qualified embalming service • Also Hearse & Limousine hire available

Mobile: 07815 866 652 Tel: 01267 236 787 (24hrs) email: info@funeralservices.wales www.funeralservices.wales

For Sale 2009 VAUXHALL INSIGNIA HEARSE

• Petrol • 81,650 miles • MOTd to July 2026 Price £13,500 For more information please contact Keith on 07894 644548

For Sale 2010 OPEL INSIGNIA HEARSE

• In pristine condition with very low mileage OFFERS AROUND • This vehicle is fully serviced and ready to go €35,000 • This vehicle was built by Eagle Specialists with only 1 owner from new

For further details contact Eddie on T: 086 2501760 or email: eddiewalsh112@gmail.com

FuneralTimes | 87

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