Funeral Times issue 5 2018

The magazine for Funeral Directors in Ireland

2018 Vol.18 No.5

Funeral Director Solutions Traffic management solutions for Funeral Directors

www.funeraldirectorsolutions.ie

The magazine for Funeral Directors in Ireland

Fanagans win National Q Mark company of the year .. 10

Ongoing development at Grey's Funeral Home............. 24

Contents

New funeral home for Murdoch's ................................... 5 Advice for donating to the Southern Trust....................... 7 Fanagans win National Q Mark company of the year .. 10 IAFD News.................................................................... 16 Ongoing development at Grey's Funeral Home............. 24 Quinn's launch new Insignia Hearse.............................. 29 NAFD News................................................................... 33 Quinn's launch new Insignia Hearse ............................. 29

Funereal Soft Furnishings launch new website............. 42 SAIF News .................................................................... 47

Editorial and Advertising contacts: Graham Brown | Ruth McQuillan Vikki Crangle | Paula Hanna Tel: (028) 3835 5060 (048) from ROI

PEAI News .................................................................... 51 Reflecting on the year by Mary Elizabeth Dillon.......... 53 Tim Collison on seeing the big picture.......................... 54 Talon Mortuary Specialists 2 day event......................... 60 BIE News ...................................................................... 61

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

Padraic Cawley ............................................................ 64 Jennifer Muldowney - What is our digital legacy?........ 72 Mattie Lennon ............................................................... 78 Classifieds...................................................................... 80

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

New funeral home for Murdochs M

urdoch Funeral Directors are a company, ingrained in the fabric of their local community, who are proud to serve the Newtownards, North Down and surrounding areas.

The firm are dedicated to serving the community with care and dignity and, with a wealth of experience working with other Funeral Directors, they are thrilled to announce the opening of their own Funeral home on Frances Street, Newtownards.

The premises boasts a spacious church with restrooms adjacent, decorated tastefully to give that homely feel.

Disabled facilities are also available making W/C access more inviting. There is ample car parking available.

Their services include: 24 Hour Personal and Professional service, Bespoke Funeral Plans and all monumental work.

Murdoch Funeral Directors endeavour to help the families of their community at their time of need with respect and confidentiality.

For more information, please contact T:028 9181 1311 or email: murdochfuneraldirectors.mfd@gmail.com

FuneralTimes | 5

Advice for Funeral Directors: Donations to Southern Health and Social Care Trust

How to Donate to the Trust Donations can be made to any of the Trust’s four Charitable Trust Funds These are Directorate based Charitable Trust funds which are aligned to how the Trust delivers its services throughout the Southern area ...

Acute Services

e.g. cancer services, surgery and medical care

Older People and Primary Care Services

e.g. social work, district nursing and domiciliary care

Children and Young People’s Services

e.g. hospital care for children and health visiting

Mental Health and Learning Disability Services e.g. hospital and community mental health services and supported living

Cheques should be made payable to SHSCT Charitable Trust Funds

How do I make a donation?

If you wish to make a donation, please speak to a member of Trust staff.

The kindness of the public is appreciated by our staff, and we are grateful for the continued generous support for Trust patients and staff.

6 | FuneralTimes

Thank You

Making a donation to the Southern Trust Advice for Funeral Directors: Donations to Southern Health and Social Care Trust

T

he Southern Health and Social Care Trust receive many donations every year from members of the public. These donations vary in amount from £10 to thousands of pounds and all are greatly appreciated.

They come from individuals, community groups, families, patients, sports clubs, schools, businesses from all walks of life and all areas of our Trust.

Non-Executive Director Siobhan Rooney, Chair of the Trust’s Endowments and Gifts Committee says “I would like to thank our local community for the donations and gifts they have generously made to services across the Trust.

“Endowments and Gifts funds are

used on items to ensure patient comfort and extra equipment to enhance safe and quality care. Patients and clients have really benefitted as we can buy things that we would otherwise be unable to purchase such as emergency clothing, additional hoists and high back chairs for wards and patient areas, workshops, games, and many more items.

“Since April 2018 donations can only be made to any of the Trust’s four Charitable Trust Funds. Acute Services, Children and Young People’s services, Older People and Primary Care services and Mental Health and Learning Disability Services.”

Cheques should be made payable to SHSCT Charitable Trust Funds.

When donations are given to the Trust, they are used in four main ways: • To provide additional comforts for patients, clients, relatives, and visitors • Staff appreciation, e.g. general hospitality, social events or celebrations • Staff Education and Training • Academic research and development

FuneralTimes | 7

Fanagans Funeral Directors scoop National Q Mark Company of the Year 2018 Fanagans Funeral Directors were the overall winners of Excellence Ireland’s National Quality Management Systems Awards 2018, which were announced in the Clayton hotel, Dublin 4 on Friday 28th September by the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys.

T

he National Quality Management Systems award is the highest accolade an Irish business can achieve. There was intense competition with 105 companies nominated this year, with Fanagans winning both their category in “outstanding performance” and the overall National Award.

Fanagans were one of the founding members of the IAFD and over the years have been at the forefront of promoting excellence and expertise in the funeral profession. They continue to make valuable contributions to the sector including regular reviews of the Industry Codes of Practice.

Alan and David Fanagan both served as IAFD presidents and Robert Fanagan is currently serving as the 1st Vice President.

Commenting on the awards, Jody Fanagan, MD, said “It is a fantastic honour for Fanagans to have the entire team’s hard work and efforts recognised and rewarded by the Excellence Ireland Quality Association and the National Q Mark Awards. It justifies all the time and care that goes into ensuring we have best in class Quality Management Systems in place, delivering excellence in customer service to all our client families and stakeholders on a continuous basis. An award like this ensures that all staff, at all levels, buy into the quality ethos and help drive the business forward as we celebrate our 200-year anniversary and seven generations of excellence in funeral care”

10 | FuneralTimes

The Fanagan Group looked after 1 in every 4 funerals in Dublin last year and have had the Q Mark certification since 1994. They were winners of the National Supreme Quality Award in 2001 and have been nominated on several occasions since. They are committed to delivering an exceptional service to all their client families with professionalism, compassion, dignity and exceptional attention to detail.

The National Award was sponsored by eTravel and Virgin Atlantic. Funds raised on the night went to CanTeen Ireland, the young people’s cancer support group. EIQA (Excellence Ireland Quality Association) audit the standards of thousands of organisations and businesses in Ireland and Internationally.

About the Fanagan Group The Fanagan Group are one of Ireland’s longest established Funeral Directors, providing excellence in Funeral care in Dublin for 200 years. Fanagans, Kirwans, Nichols and Carnegies Funeral Directors are all part of The Fanagan Group.

Combined, they have 11 Funeral homes located throughout Dublin. They recently opened a new state-of-the-art funeral home

in Willbrook Rathfarnham which can accommodate large gatherings and ensures that every need of a bereaved family can be catered for in the custom-built facility.

Funeral Times

The staff at would like to take this opportunity to wish our readers and advertisers

A Very Merry Christmas!

FuneralTimes | 11

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Tallon Mortuary y Specialists Professional, Confidential and Caring Services

School of Embalming Qualify for membership of an internationally recognised embalming qualification (BIE) at your own pace • The ‘Tallon Mortuary Specialists Sch School hooll of Embalming’ offers students and reg registered giste ered d embalmers the highest standards off so teaching and practice in a supportive ortiv ve environment, with full use of ourr training facility.

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Glyn Tallon - 14 Academy Street, Navan, Co. Meath Tel: 086 826 8876 / Fax: 046 903 6001 Web: www.tallonmortuaryspecialists.com Email: info@tallonmortuaryspecialists.com FuneralTimes | 13

Woodall Nicholson Group Appoints New CEO F

rank Barrett has been appointed as the new Woodall Nicholson CEO. Frank possesses a wealth of business experience in the manufacturing industry and is fully equipped to continue the group’s exciting growth path.

Frank has taken over the helm of Woodall Nicholson from Geoff Hudson who has stepped down as CEO after a 5 year period of rapid growth and a total of 41 years loyal service to the business.

Geoff remains with the business, not only as a Director and shareholder, and will be

available to offer support and guidance to Frank and of course continue to be a great ambassador for the business with customers and external stakeholders.

Chairman Brian Davidson commented: “This move affords the business the benefit of planning for the next five years of its growth, while importantly maintaining continuity in its values and customer appreciation going forward. I would like to wish both Frank and Geoff well in their new endeavours”.

FuneralTimes

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IAFD News Vision ‘To inspire our members to achieve standards of excellence in order to help them serve their communities and represent the funeral sector as one voice in a professional and client focused manner’.

A

s the Association fast approaches its fortieth year we want to acknowledge and pay tribute to the dedicated team of funeral directors who down through the years have volunteered their time and unwavering support to the IAFD and its membership.

Those men and women have brought the Association to where it is today.

IAFD has evolved into an influential organisation with approximately 250 Full Members. It is estimated that these member firms conduct 80% of the funerals arranged annually on the island of Ireland.

The IAFD also has circa 50 IAFD Associates and a number of Overseas Members, which provide services and products required for the provision of funeral services. Many of the IAFD Associates are indigenous businesses providing employment throughout Ireland.

The Association continues to offer advice and a wealth of information including education, mediation and everything in between to its members.

Despite the significant changes in society, the way funerals are now conducted coupled with advances in technology, the IAFD provides unparalleled support for funeral directors though out this island to enable them to provide the highest standard of service to their clients.

Giving time to the IAFD Board can be a very rewarding experience and in that regard members are encouraged to become involved. You should consider giving back some of your time as your valuable contribution would be very much appreciated. It would also help shape the Association for a changing future in funeral service.

39th Annual General Meeting & Dinner Dance 24th November 2018 Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone This year’s AGM & Dinner Dance was held in the Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone on the 24th November and was hugely successful, with attendees having a thoroughly enjoyable event.

The AGM began on Saturday afternoon with an array of suppliers to the funeral business exhibiting. The AGM itself encouraged widespread participation and was followed by the Reception and Annual Dinner. We were delighted to welcome many new faces alongside those members who faithfully attend the AGMs year after year.

16 | FuneralTimes

A full report of the event will follow in the next issue of Funeral Times.

Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone

IAFD News Mitchelstown Regional Meeting and Training Workshop - 27th September 2018 -

Bryan Nolan, Irish Hospice Foundation, facilitated an excellent workshop to a large group of Funeral Directors on the subject, “Staying well at work”. Considering the nature of our business those in attendance reported that the content was excellent. It offered a forum for members to openly share their concerns and as a result they realised they were not alone.

Funeral Directors need to care for their personal health and wellbeing and that of their staff to ensure a healthy workplace environment.

Bank of Ireland - Bereavement Support Unit

F

ollowing the “Staying well at Work” workshop, Mary Carroll, Bank of Ireland – Bereavement Support Unit, gave a very informative presentation regarding the recently established BOI Centralised Support Unit to assist its customers in facilitating the prompt payment of their deceased relative’s funeral account.

Mary also conducted a very positive and informative question and answer session during which she gave direction and

advice in relation to issues regarding such payments.

Mary assured members that The Bereavement Support Unit is committed to providing an excellent service to support Funeral Directors with the payment of funeral expenses and to avoid unnecessary financial burden for bereaved customers, families, and their representatives where funds are available. The Unit has also simplified the paperwork required.

FuneralTimes | 17

IAFD News 2018/19 Funeral Directing Certificate Award (FDCA)

The first day of the 2018/2019 FDCA was held in Glasnevin on 20th September 2018. IAFD President, Mary Cunniffe welcomed all the Learners and was accompanied by Education Programme Co-Ordinator, Joanne Cooney and Course Trainer, Stephen Shields.

Why Join the IAFD? For just a little more than €1cent a day you get: • Professional Indemnity Insurance • Membership of professional organisation recognised by the general public • Unique all island network of funeral directors • Representation of members with Government, Local Authorities and Media • Access to IAFD Education Programme

• Code of Practice • Funeral Directors led organisation for promoting and developing standards of funeral service • Excellence Programme • Board of Funeral professionals available to assist Members • Dispute Resolution and Mediation • Legal Advisory Service • Links to other trade Associations

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

18 | FuneralTimes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Donal Forde (Chair - Education Committee) Forde & Sons Funeral Home South Gate Bridge Cork Co. Cork Ph: 021-4318222 Email: fordes@indigo.ie FuneralTimes | 19

Find YOUR brand identity A

drienne Peers, Managing Director of Canfly Marketing has over 25 years’ marketing & branding experience and is busy working with Funeral Directors and Crematoria on brand identity and bespoke presentation bags in the UK and Ireland.

Need a brand style guide for your business?

Canfly Marketing designers can create one for you! A short guideline document which is essentially your owner’s manual on how to “use” your own brand story, logo, colour palette, fonts and images. This document should be referenced by everyone who touches your brand to include printed material, marketing products such as pens & umbrellas, brochures, packaging, online communications and advertisements.

As the market leader for beautifully designed bespoke presentation bags for funeral directors and crematoria we understand that personalised bags are a significant investment for funeral directors.

Providing excellent design and a luxury product is guaranteed through collaboration with top European and Asian manufacturers over the past number of years. Presentation bags can be supplied in units of 100 upwards, however small quantities can be expensive and the usual minimum quantity order for bespoke branded bags is 1000 units with a lead time of 12-14 weeks.

If you require smaller quantities of presentation bags the Forever in our Hearts range of Generic Presentation Bags is available with no minimum order to include Urn, Casket, Personal Effects, Scatter Tube and Jewellery Bags. You can shop online at Canflymarketing.com.

Bespoke quality print and any other bespoke branded marketing products are created by the talented inhouse designer and are quoted on individual requirements.

If you would like to chat about branding guidelines, presentation bags, branded items or print please email Adrienne at info@canflymarketing.com or call T:020 7859 4443 UK or 087 714 7027 IRE

is our passion and brand identity is your company’s “ Branding personality. It’s how the world recognizes and trusts you. ” 20 | FuneralTimes

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Ongoing development at Grey’s Funeral Home H

ere at Grey’s funeral home Templemore, as part of our ongoing continuous development we have recently taken delivery of a new Deacon Hybrid hearse, becoming one of the first funeral homes in Ireland to do so. Earlier this year we The new Deacon also purchased a new Mondeo private Hybrid hearse ambulance. ur outdoor lighting was part of a major plan this year and the installation of €25,000 worth of street lights on our existing 100 space private car park has proved to be a serious asset to our business.

Our indoor lighting has been replaced with led lights and, like the outdoor ones, made more efficient and eco-friendly. All air conditioning units are now completely updated after an injection of over €30,000, bringing them up to a very high standard of eco-friendly and economic electricity consumption.

This is all part of our continuous development plan implemented here in Grey’s, keeping respect for tradition with regard for change.

O

Outdoor lighting was a major part of the plan for this year

24 | FuneralTimes

tailor-made solutions to the funeral trade

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Why Golden Charter is the right choice for your business 1. Golden Charter was formed to safeguard independent funeral directors’ market share 2. 100% owned by independent funeral directors

500,000

100%

3. More than 500,000 people have trusted us to take care of their funeral arrangements

4. The Golden Charter Trust is a completely separate financial entity from Golden Charter Limited, protecting plan funds 5. Regional support from our Ireland-based business manager

If you would like to find out more about working with Golden Charter please contact us on

0141 931 6310

GC-LIFT 22097 - 0918

Golden Charter partner up with Independents G

olden Charter has broadened its support to independent funeral directors, and Konrad Wilkinson, your Area Business Manager for Ireland, wants to help every Independent feel the full benefit of that change.

Partnership As the only plan provider owned by an association of independent funeral directors and working exclusively for the independent sector, Golden Charter works with over 200 funeral directors across Ireland. Over 100 independent businesses actively offer funeral plans to families through Golden Charter.

Konrad said: “The key to Golden Charter is that we can offer the benefits of scale from being a leading company across in the UK, to support you in what you want to do in your area.

“Historically that has meant a nationally trusted name and direct regional marketing support through routes such as leaflet drops. That is more the case than ever, with people’s recognition of the Golden Charter name at its highest levels, and our new partnership model is broadening out the support we can offer.”

The partnership approach has already paid off this year beyond marketing. In the lead up to the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Golden Charter’s regional representatives teamed up with the head office Compliance team to ensure independent funeral directors understood the impact of this change, offering support materials and working through any concerns personally, alongside local masterclasses.

If you want to see similar work in your area, or have your own needs that Golden Charter can partner with you to provide, Konrad can work directly with you to identify what will make a difference to your own business, and help make it happen.

Konrad Wilkinson

The Golden Charter Trust The unaudited net assets of the Trust at 31 March 2018 totalled more than £1 billion, and the Trust’s most recent actuary’s report† confirmed that “the Trust’s assets were over 100% of the funds required to meet funeral costs covered by the plans in the Trust”, allowing for increases in line with CPImeasured inflation.

Administered by a Board of Trustees comprising of experienced business people from a wide range of backgrounds, The Trust exists both for the protection of plan holders and funeral directors who have undertaken to carry out the funeral services in accordance with the plan terms and conditions. To ensure this protection, the Trust’s assets are entirely separate and independent of Golden Charter Limited.

Benefiting Independents and your families Like the Trust, Golden Charter is concerned with protecting funeral directors at the same time as giving plan holders the best possible experience, and this year has provided plenty of signs of success.

Independents have performed better than conglomerates during a tough time for funeral planning, while Golden Charter FuneralTimes | 27

plan holder satisfaction – already sitting above 90%* – is even higher among new customers.

Konrad added: “If we can do the right thing for funeral directors locally, that means a better experience for the families you serve, but what ‘doing the right thing’ means is up to you. I’m looking forward to working more closely with each of you to understand what is best for your area and help you make it happen.”

Independent funeral directors in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland can contact Konrad Wilkinson on konrad. wilkinson@goldencharter.co.uk or 07715 038 663. †Actuary’s Report, The Golden Charter Trust, 2018 https://www.goldenchartertrust. co.uk/statements-reports/actuary-report/ *Golden Charter Plan Holder Satisfaction Research, CJM Research, 2018

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Quinn’s launch new Insignia Hearse Wicklow funeral director William Doyle gives his verdict on the latest vehicle to hit the funeral market.

Q

uinn’s previous take on the Insignia hearse was well received among undertakers in Ireland with the 3-door version in particular representing impressive value for money. The introduction to Europe of the Buick-styling, presented an upscale feel to their more costeffective vehicle.

The new incarnation reflects some of the upgrades that Opel have made to their estate. The vehicle is lighter overall, which is reflected in the handling, particularly on rural Irish roads. With the extended chassis, the lighter vehicle, like its predecessor, is

incredibly well balanced, alleviating the kicking rear you often get from back-heavy hearses and the reinforced suspension also improves the ride quality and comfort, even with the weight of a coffin and pallbearers.

A design with sleeker aerodynamics is complemented by Quinn’s hearse extension, and the lower, more European hearse design helps the vehicle flow. Standard windscreen and doors mean that the majority of replacement parts are available off the shelf, leading to a lot of saved money down the line.

FuneralTimes | 29

The entry model engines are quite impressive on the pocket.

Real life fuel efficiency of well over 45mpg on both petrol and diesel engines, as well as low emissions, means that the running costs are kept almost as low as previous.

One thing that becomes obvious when you sit inside this hearse is an even bigger increase in cabin space with extra width and legroom in the front not that it was needed as the previous model was very generous. Opel have also upgraded to a sportier, more modern feel and the hearse adopts a similar approach. Its slim-line fittings on the new Dolce Vita deck gives a completely different look and first impressions are good. Quinn’s are embracing bolder designs and the sleeker aesthetics are complemented with

some newer technology. USB charging ports in the front, a touch screen with android and apple mobile phone mirroring are all coupled with LED deck lights as standard, with very reasonable options such as front strobes and rear walking lights meaning that these vehicles look set to continue as the best value for money on the market. The option of the pull out drawer and Buick kit is still there and is a brilliant addition to any hearse.

Overall, the new Insignia hearse is a wellplanned upgrade from the first model and with it currently being the only hearse in the world based on an Opel Insignia the chance is there for it to take the market by storm once more, especially when compared to its rivals of similar value. Watch this space.

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NAFD News Jon Levett appointed as Chief Executive Officer J

on Levett joined the National Association of Funeral Directors as Chief Executive on 1 October 2018.

Prior to joining the Association, Jon was Chief Executive at the British Psychoanalytical Society. Jon has also held senior posts at the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, the General Optical Council and the Architects Registration Board and is Chair of the Professional Conduct Committee of the National Register for Public Service Interpreters.

NAFD President Abi Pattenden said: “When I met Jon, I was immediately impressed by his understanding of the unique aspects of membership organisations. In his second interview, he presented to the panel about challenges facing the funeral sector generally, and the NAFD specifically, and it was apparent that he had quickly developed an understanding of, and interest in, our industry.”

Addressing the NAFD’s Autumn Meeting

in October, Jon said: “This profession is in a period of transformational change, not only in what bereaved families want from a funeral, but what governments expect of funeral directors too. I see this as a huge opportunity for the funeral profession and I am looking forward to working with you to secure a robust future for the Association.

“The common theme running through my professional career has been working for bodies who take very seriously the need for high standards of education, professional competence and ethics. When I researched the role at NAFD, I was struck by the truly impressive work that the NAFD does to support its members, and ensure the public receive high standards of service from NAFD funeral directors. I will be proud to help navigate NAFD through the challenges and opportunities ahead and ensure that members get the recognition and reputation for excellence they deserve.”

NAFD hosts Death in Education round table In September, the NAFD, in partnership with child bereavement charity Winston’s Wish, hosted a unique round-table to discuss how death, bereavement and funerals should be discussed in UK primary school pupils, to help build a more resilient, open and unafraid society when it comes to talking about death.

Attendees included Wish, Cruse Bereavement Care, Penhaligon’s Friends and a representative selection of NAFD members. The group also benefited from the academic expertise of Dr Sarah James, a lecturer in education at the University of Hull, who specialises in this area, and FuneralTimes | 33

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Visit: www.nafd.org.uk/whyjointhenafd

Johnny Hunt, a sex and relationships education consultant who delivers age-appropriate sex and relationships education in primary schools across the Midlands and Warwickshire.

NAFD President Abi Pattenden articulated her belief that there is a need to help prepare young people: “This will not just help them as young people, but help them as adults too - both in terms of their own emotional wellbeing, and also in their understanding of, and willingness to talk more openly about, the end of life,”

she said. “This, I believe, could help to make the significant shift in Britons’ willingness to address and prepare for the end of life that we know would be so beneficial to society.”

The timing of the event was extremely important, as the Government is currently consulting on draft guidance designed to make addressing subjects that can have a major impact on a child’s life - like mental health, wellbeing and relationships - statutory in both primary and secondary schools.

NAFD calls for clarity and change during trio of Parliamentary meetings

I

n September, the NAFD met Justin Tomlinson MP following his recent appointment as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

During the meeting, the NAFD set out a range of concerns about the Social Fund Funeral Payment, including those related to eligibility, the application process and the inadequacies of the £700 cap on ‘other funeral expenses’ - highlighting how using it to pay for costs that could reasonably be seen as ‘essential’ - such as the cost of a coffin and Ministers’ fees leave nothing left for any other aspect of the funeral.

A lengthy discussion was held on what was included and the requirement for a coffin to undertake a cremation. The cost of a coffin was examined, as were the fees charged by officiants and Ministers. The NAFD called for a review of the DWP’s classification of what was ‘necessary’ for a funeral.

The NAFD also met John Hayes MP, following his question to the Prime Minister during Prime Minister’s Questions, on 5 September, where he raised the Social Fund Funeral Payment (SFFP). Mr Hayes intends to focus his efforts and considerable expertise on seeking reform to the Social Fund funeral payment. The meeting covered

Justin Tomlinson MP

topics such as the history of the SFFP; the costs of the various elements of a funeral; the year-on-year Government spending data on social fund funeral payments; examples of failings with the close relative test and the process to make a claim; the wording of legislation relevant to the SFFP and the necessary costs/unfairness in current system.

Finally, also in September, the NAFD met with Baroness Hayter, the Shadow Spokesperson for Exiting the EU, as part of the Association’s work to gain more clarity on Brexit and what it will mean for the funeral profession.

FuneralTimes | 35

NAFD has productive meetings with the Department of Health and Social Care In September and October, the NAFD had several meetings with Lord O’Shaughnessy of the Department of Health and Social Care, the minister responsible for death certification reform and the introduction of Medical Examiners, and the civil servant in charge of the introduction of Medical Examiners, Jeremy Mean.

In meetings with both men, Past President Nigel Lymn Rose, who represented the Association, was struck that both the Minister and Mr Mean truly listened and reported back evidence of genuine progress made as a result of previous NAFD interventions. DHSC said they were appreciative of the feedback already received from NAFD to date.

In the meetings, Mr Lymn Rose flagged up concerns about issues such as the everincreasing mortuary space (and cost) that will be required should Trusts decide that all deaths should be certified within the hospital environment as this could also expand the delay for families. He also asked for more clarity in respect of the future process for burials. Numerous issues were

Lord O’Shaughnessy raised regarding deaths outside of hospital settings and although difficult to resolve all were noted and put on the DHSC radar.

He also asked how the system will deal with the possible introduction of charges for burials – and how these will be collected.

Again, it was felt in the meeting that these and other points were fully appreciated and will now properly be considered.

NAFD highlights the importance of talking to a funeral director in media interviews

T

he NAFD highlighted the importance of talking to a funeral director and asking detailed questions, in guidance to the public, which was issued following the broadcast by ITV and BBC of programmes highlighting issues some members of the public have experienced in buying a funeral plan.

In November, new NAFD Chief Executive Jon Levett also reiterated the important role of the funeral director as a source of advice in a range of interviews with BBC radio stations across the UK following publication of a research report by Dignity plc highlighting how some bereaved families felt they did not have long enough at the crematorium and felt they were on a ‘conveyor belt.’

36 | FuneralTimes

The NAFD welcomes the results of the Competition and Markets Authority’s consumer research In October, the NAFD welcomed the results of new research by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) highlighting that the overwhelming priority when choosing a funeral was to follow the wishes of the deceased person.

Funeral directors were chosen on locality and previous experience, the CMA Funerals Market Study research report said, while the end cost of the funeral was broadly the same as had been envisaged at the start.

Whilst most people did not ‘shop around’, the report said that “a typical face-to-face meeting reassured respondents that they had made the right choice of provider” and “that funeral directors explained available options and associated costs well.”

Abi Pattenden, President of the NAFD, said: “The findings in this report underline that the decisions people make over a funeral are driven largely by what their loved one wants and by what is convenient in their local area.

“It is also heartening to see that a

NFE 2019 Update On track to be sold out

by Christmas With seven months still to go, the 2019 National Funeral Exhibition (NFE) is now 89% sold out with exhibition space on track to be fully booked

by Christmas. A diverse mix of more than 200 popular British businesses, industry stalwarts, vibrant new start-ups and international brands are set to make a visit to the 2019 exhibition the most exciting yet. NAFD First Vice-President and NFE Committee Chair Kate Edwards took the NFE marketing campaign to Salt Lake City in October to attract US-based exhibitors and visitors to the show.

traditional face-to-face meeting gives people confidence in the trustworthiness of their funeral director. The findings of the report tally with a lot of our own research and that of others, and it is good to see evidence of consistency in respect of surveys into people’s attitudes towards funerals.”

The NAFD remains in dialogue with the Competition and Markets Authority, providing additional information and answering questions, with the Association now having provided a total of four separate submissions, the most recent of which being in relation to price comparison websites.

The CMA’s initial report is expected to be published by the end of November.

Speakers sought for seminar theatre As part of an expanded education programme for NFE 2019, the NAFD would like to hear from companies interested in fielding a speaker or trainer to take either a 30-minute or 60-minute slot in the seminar theatre.

The Association is seeking three or four speakers a day and will choose those organisations that can offer the most compelling, interesting and relevant content for visitors.

FuneralTimes | 37

Be our guest! Innovating for NFE 2019 with new stewarding team Detailed plans are coming together for NFE 2019 and there’s going to be a number of new innovations to make it the best-ever show. For example, the NFE team will be introducing a team of stewards to the exhibition, whose role it will be to look after both exhibitors and visitors throughout the whole weekend.

Stewards are a central part of other NAFD events, such as National Conference each year, and are a popular feature at other major exhibitions. All of the details are being finalised as to how the stewarding team will work and more information will be sent to exhibitors very soon!

NFE 2019 will also offer attendees the opportunity to learn practical First Aid skills in bite-size sessions - including the use of an automated external defibrillator. Basic life support courses will run throughout the 2019 National Funeral Exhibition. Each

course will take approximately 1.5 hours, so will easily fit into a visit to the show. More information, and details of how to book, will follow as part of the Education programme planned for NFE 2019.

Keep an eye out for news about how to register to attend NFE 2019. It’s free and offers a fantastic opportunity to meet around 200 of the most innovative British and global suppliers to the funeral profession.

To book your space, talk about sponsorship, plan your show marketing campaign, express an interest in a speaking slot or indeed anything else, get in touch with NAFD Business Manager Kirsti Clifford on 0121 711 1343 ext. 1009 or funeralexhibition@nafd.org.uk. To explore show sponsorship opportunities please contact Jo Asher at Impact Now! on 01525 370013 or email her at jo@impact-now. co.uk.

GerryWreath McDermott Manufacturer Circular Road, Roscommon

Mob: 086 2544126 or Mob: 086 8205215 38 | FuneralTimes

FuneralTimes | 38

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 FuneralTimes | 39

Challenges for Irish Funeral Directors

Aileen Boyle, MD, Braemar Finance

Ireland’s Funeral sector is facing many challenges, from increased competition to price wars between the large providers – but what are the thoughts of the independent Funeral Directors? Our detailed research into the Professions sector outlines Funeral Directors’ views on a range of key subjects, from access to finance to the impact of Brexit on business confidence.

Access to funding Nearly two thirds of Funeral Directors are finding it a challenge to access the funding they need to invest in their businesses. Only 13% think it’s becoming easier, which challenges the commonly held view that there is a strong appetite to lend from all major funders and that there is a lot of ‘easy money’ in circulation.

Despite the funding challenges being faced, there is the appetite to invest, with three in four of those polled planning to actively seek finance for business investment in the next 12 months; the remaining 25% will not be investing, and – unusually – no respondents were ‘undecided’.

Economic outlook Funeral Directors in Ireland are best described as ‘cautiously optimistic’ about their prospects for the coming 12 months, with 38% feeling that ‘the worst is behind us but it will be a slow path to prosperity’.

A further 38% are of the opinion that ‘the worst is behind us but I’m concerned that the economy could decline again’. The other 24% haven’t witnessed a true economic recovery yet.

Looking at forecasts for anticipated business performance, exactly a quarter are hoping to expand, with the same number again forecasting their firm to contract. The other 50% are expecting to tread water, which for many is success in its own right.

Business priorities Paying down debts is the highest priority for 38% of the Ireland’s funeral directors, followed by ‘achieving growth’ and ‘standing still’.

The results should be seen as a positive indicator of the appetite for sustainable growth and the overall financial health of Funeral businesses in the sector. More than one in 10 (12%) of firms see developing staff, demonstrating that they are looking to the future with optimism and have plans in place to achieve their objectives.

For more information call Joe Beisty on 086 7727 552, email jbiesty@braemarfinance.ie or visit www.braemarfinance.ie

40 | FuneralTimes

Donโ t let cost be a barrier. :LJ[VY ZWLJPHSPZ[ )YHLTHY -PUHUJL Vั LY funding for items such as: โ ข Equipment โ ข Business loans ย 0; 6ั JL ZVS\[PVUZ โ ข Corporation tax and VAT loans โ ข Business vehicles โ ข Equity release

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Funereal Soft Furnishings launch new website A

ll of the team at Funereal Soft Furnishings are thrilled with the positive feedback they have received from across the industry with the launch of their new website. The investment is a true mark of their dedication to the industry and to their customer base as this proud firm, embodying the traditional values of its foundation over 70 years ago, recognises the need in todays society to be able to access information on the go, 24 hours a day.

Today the company boasts a staff with enormous experience in the industry, many many having served for over 20 years. This longevity of service to Funeral Directors across Ireland stands them in good stead in understanding the importance of reliability and trust in their working relationships, not to mention quality. With this in mind the company hope their new website will help their customers, old and new, browse their online offerings and have a quick point of contact to get in touch.

Funereal Soft Furnishings Ltd., a proud family-run institution based in the heart of Belfast, have been in operation for more than 70 years, working tirelessly with the funeral industries across Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales. They specialize in supplying funeral directors and coffin manufacturers far and wide and strongly believe in upholding the values of traditional customer service. With tradition and principle holding such importance, it is no surprise that products are still manufactured today in-house in the Belfast-based HQ, just as they were in the beginning all those years ago.

Originally opening as W.L. Doggart & Sons Undertakerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Merchants on 26th February 1942, the factory was based on 7th James Street South, Belfast.

Frank Campbell later joined the company in 1951 and went on to act as a Managing Director for 51 years.

Mark Campbell, Frankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s son, now owns and runs the business.

The team welcome you to visit their website at: www.funerealsoftfurnishings.com, by phone on T:028 9024 0270. 53 Little Donegal Street, Belfast, County Antrim BT1 2JD.

42 | FuneralTimes

Double Elasticated Frill

Coffin Pad

Box Pillow

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Tel: 028 9024 0270 53 Little Donegal Street, Belfast, County Antrim BT1 2JD

www.funerealsoftfurnishings.com

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

Representing and promoting the interests of 850 independent funeral directors.

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

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

For over 25 years SAIF has been promoting and protecting the interests and values of independent funeral directors. Supporting our members is at the heart of everything we do, listening, responding and engaging to secure your independent future.

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

SAIF NEWS ... SAIF NEWS ...

Business Centre Update S

AIF Education Day was held on Wednesday 31st October at The Leicester Tigers Conference Hall, and we had a bumper presence with over 140 attendees which included some 23 exhibitors.

The day commenced with Ann Chalmers from Child Bereavement UK addressing children’s funerals from the funeral directors perspective, which was greatly received.

Further information can be found at https://childbereavementuk.org.

This was followed by Chris Parker, Governor & Chair for the College, who provided an update on the IFD College and announced the students who had successfully passed their courses and proudly received their certificates that were presented by Alun Tucker, National President.

There was also the launch of the working partnership between the IFD College and the BIFD to offer courses for those who are new to the profession up to graduate level. Both the IFD College and BIFD will retain their autonomous identity, but we will work collaboratively to offer a full suite of education and training for the funeral profession.

Catherine Betley, Professional Help along with Terry Tennens, Chief Executive announced the new working partnership with the National Counselling Society, which aims to improve counselling and support offered to people following a bereavement.

Just before lunch we heard from Dr Heather Conway, who provided a thought provoking update on the Cremation (England and Wales) Regulations 2008 (updated 2017) and the major changes in the Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Regulations 2016, including the issues surrounding conflict in families.

After lunch the delegates were able to view the exhibition, taking an interest in the products and services that were on display.

The afternoon saw Alan Jeffrey, Wesley Media who provided further insight into the funeral director services and access mechanics along with future additions that are in the pipeline. Paul Allcock provided an update on Death Certification for England & Wales.

Sarah Brodie from Brodies Funeral Services Ltd and also a member of the SAIF Technology Group, introduced the group and the ways that they are looking to bring the funeral profession into the ‘digital age’.

She also provided an insight into how she has updated her family’s funeral business by introducing new technology.

Finally the day ended with James Daley from Fairer Finance, who as a consumer campaigner and financial journalist provided information into pre-payment funeral plans.

We would like to thank all those who exhibited and attended the day.

Over the Christmas period the SAIF Business Centre will be open from 9.00am to 4pm on: Monday 24th December, and from 10.00am to 2pm on Thursday 27th December and Friday 28th December.

Normal hours will commence from Wednesday 2nd January 2019.

We wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

FuneralTimes | 47

MEET THE TEAM ALAN SMYTH Alan is 27. He began working with Finlay in November 2014 as a General Operative in the production process.

Alan’s interest and enthusiasm with Finlay took him towards the Logistic/Despatch side of the Company where he is now conducting deliveries. Alan has a keen interest in cars and motorbikes and likes to follow the Motor Rallies.

JOHN DEVITT John is 23. He began working with Finlay on a part-time basis when he was a student in Galway and worked with us for the summer months in the production process. John is now in full time employment with Finlay. A very keen rugby fan and player, he plays for his local rugby club and this year he was made team Captain

O’Neill’s Funeral Directors new fleet O ’Neill’s Funeral Directors in Belfast have taken delivery of another new fleet of vehicles from Duffy Coachbodies Ltd. in Dundalk.

Laurence O’Neill Snr and Laurence Jnr worked closely with Gerard Duffy and his son Geoffrey, who yet again delivered

48 | FuneralTimes

another fleet of vehicles to a very high standard and remarkable specification.

O’Neills are delighted to receive the first fleet of the new 213 series E Class vehicles that Duffy Coachbodies has delivered into Northern Ireland and look forward to putting them to work.

Obit update - Winter 2018 O

n October 1st last, after a 3-month development and testing programme, Obit version 3.0 was released. This release incorporated over 100 different elements aimed at widening the scope of Obit and/or making Obit easier and more intuitive to use.

Whilst the main development was a more rigorous handling of the financial elements of the funeral account in order to be able to reliably export data from Obit into accounting packages, many other parts of Obit got a major makeover; The Rota/ Scheduling function has been improved with better and clearer displays, allowing easier access for making and changing assignments and now also supporting the printing of disbursement envelopes for Clergy, Musicians, Gravediggers etc. - these envelopes can be easily customised to suit the individual Funeral Directorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; style.

Funeral templates have been thoroughly overhauled, making them much easier to

construct and use and making it possible to reduce the number of templates to choose from.

The reporting function has been revamped, allowing the Funeral Director to create richer reports for Celebrants and Local Authorities. A new data export function has been embedded in the main Funeral Display, making it easier to download lists to work on with your desktop tools. The Help area has been reviewed and many articles in the Knowledge Base updated. Finally, a stock usage screen has been added so that consumption in the past days and weeks can be quickly checked.

We would like to thank our current users for their support and encouragement in 2018 and look forward to welcoming many more to the Obit-family in 2019.

FuneralTimes | 49

secretary@professionalembalmers.ie

www.professionalembalmers.ie

PEAI AGM huge success H

otel Minella in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary played host on Saturday 20th October 2018 to the Annual General Meeting of the Professional Embalmers’ Association of Ireland which we are pleased to report was very well attended. James Fouhy of Boston Scientific was also present to deliver a detailed and informative presentation to those present. The AGM saw a shake up of the board, with Jo Horgan being appointed new vice-secretary, and Gráinne Teefy as secretary.

The PEAI strive to enhance the quality of the embalming service to families and commends the dedication and enthusiasm shown toward our educational programme.

With this in mind, the engaging presentation by James Fouhy on “Embalmer awareness of Active Implantable Medical Devices” was very well received. James presented the company’s diversified portfolio of medical devices with the emphasis on

Hotel Minella, Clonmel, the venue for the AGM devices which we as embalmers encounter on a regular basis. A wide range of subjects were covered, including the handling of the devices, their correct disposal, and health and safety with reference to the embalming process.

FuneralTimes | 51

New from Fearghas R. Gibneydelivery of Gibneys of Oldcastle Funeral Directors, collectsQuinn his new hearse from Fearghas

Gavin Declan, George Preston Funeral Directors, Newry, with their new E-Class Quinnand Hearse and from Limousines.

Hearse from Quinn Hearse & Limousine Ltd.

Treasured Keepsakes would like to thank you all for your support throughout 2018 and wish everyone A Very Happy Christmas and Best Wishes for 2019!

Liza Webster 52 | FuneralTimes

Thoughts at the end of the year T

he closing of the year is always a time for reflection. Many people will ask, ‘where did that year go?’, and having had such a wonderful long summer the winter can seem bleak and difficult for some. For those who are bereaved, regardless of the season or time of year, the grief is always there, sometimes with longing, or anger for losing someone well before their time or in very difficult circumstances. But as we look back over a year it can be particularly difficult. It may be the first Christmas without their loved one and while the world around them celebrates it may feel hollow or pointless for them. One small comfort, and it is only a crumb of comfort, is to look back at the persons funeral and feel that they did everything right, and that the final farewell was right and fitting.

Mary Elizabeth Dillon of Civil Funerals Ireland comments on this. I have spoken to many, many people in the weeks and months after funerals and it is a common thread that following a civil funeral the family will take comfort from the ceremony. Families are glad and sometimes proud that they bucked the trend and did not follow the traditional route, instead calling on a Civil Celebrant, such as myself, to bring together a unique, personal, warm and loving farewell. To hear reflections from families that the funeral service not alone helped them with their grief at the time of the death but was

something that helped them afterwards is described by Mary Elizabeth as a great compliment. ‘I put a huge amount of time and energy into preparing each service and to know that it means something to people afterwards makes it all worthwhile. Being a Civil Funeral Celebrant is by far the most fulfilling job I have ever had,’ says Mary Elizabeth. She further comments that each family is presented with a copy of the full service, with all the introductions and words from herself included, together with copies of any poems or readings that were used on the day. Many people take out this folder from time to time into the future and reflect on what was said and who participated in the service and again draw comfort from it.

Mary Elizabeth’s view is that it is a simple gesture on her part but one which she has come to realise means so much to the recipients. ‘Sometimes the smallest gesture has the greatest impact.’

Mary Elizabeth would like to take this opportunity to thank all the Funeral Directors and their staff that she has worked with this year. As ever their co-operation and endless help has made it possible to provide a first class service to all the families who have chosen a Civil Funeral. She looks forward to serving alongside you again in 2019.

Civil Funerals Ireland Simple, unique, personal funeral services

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

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

Funerals conducted throughout Ireland

FuneralTimes | 53

Seeing the big picture: Posing the (other) features of the face

By Tim Collison CFSP Several years ago, I remember hearing that most painters would wish for longer arms so they could be further away from the canvas while they were working. Perspective changes according to the distance between the observer and the observed.

When you begin setting the features of the deceased, do you see the face as a whole, or as a collection of separate areas such as the mouth, eyes, ears, etc? I think all of us at one time have found ourselves concentrating on a particular task, and as we are working, lean closer and closer until our face is almost touching the work surface.

I know I had a tendency to do this early in my career especially when I was having trouble elevating the carotid or jugular or applying cosmetics to the lips of the deceased. I’m sure I presented an interesting sight to someone walking into the preparation area, seeing me with my face about 4” from the deceased.

Have you ever found yourself leaning forward while driving a car, trying to get a better view of what is ahead? It doesn’t really work but we do it regardless.

Narrowing our perspective also occurs when we are preparing the body. The eyes, ears and nose are not seen individually by those viewing the body, but along with the mouth, as parts making up the entirety.

The embalmer must see them not only individually to correct any misalignments or other distortions, but also in their correlation to the whole appearance of the face.

THE EARS While the ears are mostly comprised of 54 | FuneralTimes

Tim is 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.

cartilage that doesn’t change noticeably upon death, the soft tissue of the lobe can become distorted.

The elderly many times experience a change in the integrity of the tissue in the earlobe, causing it to decrease in size and firmness. This will cause the earlobe to fold under rather than hanging in its normal configuration.

Another cause for distortion is the improper placement of a headblock.

Especially when the head is turned slightly to the right for positioning, the right earlobe can become pinched between the cranium and the headblock.

This is one reason I prefer using an aluminum headrest rather than the headblock. The supporting cup of the aluminum headrest is small and does not interfere with the ears in this way. This headrest also enables the embalmer to manipulate the height and angle of the head much more readily than a headblock.

The earlobe can easily be straightened using a small pledget of cotton coated with Kalip Stay Cream. The Kalip will act as an adhesive, while the cotton reinstates the normal posture of the earlobe. The cotton and Kalip can be removed after the embalming has been completed, and the tissue is fixed. Repositioning the earlobes in this way makes it much easier for any jewelery to be seen, which has become significant for males now as well as females.

In cases where severe emaciation is present, the soft tissue of the earlobe can shrink.

Using a 22 gauge needle, a small amount of Feature Builder Regular can be injected to

‘plump’ this area and restore a more natural contour.

THE NOSE There are numerous reasons for why the nose of the deceased becomes distorted.

Quite often the person has been lying in a position that puts pressure on one side of the face, causing the nose to be pushed to one side. Other times ‘helpful’ individuals will wrap a shroud too tightly, or leave a body pouch with pressure on the nose of the deceased.

What the embalmer commonly has to deal with is either the entire nose being pushed to one side, or the collapse of a nostril, or both. The shape of the nose and nostrils can be a sneaky problem for the embalmer.

These deformations can escape notice if the deceased is not viewed from a position where the shape of the nose is apparent.

Viewing the body from the foot end of the embalming table to the head end enables the embalmer to check the alignment of the body, as well as the symmetry of the nose and nostrils.

If the entire nose has been pushed to one side, one method of correction is to place an appropriately sized section of toothpick inside the base of the nostril against the septum, prior to embalming. This in effect props it back into correct position. After

embalming and tissue fixation has taken place, the nose should retain the proper position without the help of the toothpick.

When one or both nostrils have been collapsed, Inr-Seel can be placed into the nostril prior to embalming to reinstate the proper shape. Avoid overfilling the nostrils since the softer tissue will stretch and can become larger than normal. The embalming should fix the tissue in the proper shape, and the Inr-Seel can then be removed and the nostrils cleaned of any residue.

THE EYE Other than the mouth, the eyes are the most challenging feature to pose. I look at them from three perspectives; proportion, height, and closure. By considering these different perspectives, I am forced to view the overall effect of what I am doing, not just repeat what I did the last time I embalmed.

The proportion of the upper and lower eyelid when closed should be approximately 2/3 upper eyelid, 1/3 lower eyelid. There can always be anomalies, but these proportions are a rule of thumb.

When too much lower eyelid is used, it looks very artificial and causes people to wonder how the closure was accomplished.

Not the kind of thing we want people wondering about when they are standing at the casket. When too much upper eyelid is FuneralTimes | 55

used, it is often because the eyes are sunken and there is more tissue available than what is normal. The embalmer then stretches the upper eyelid lower to reduce the wrinkling.

Often the result is that the eyes appear to be even more sunken than they actually are by emphasizing the roundness of the eyeball under the smooth surface of the upper eyelid. Since so much upper lid is visible, the normal line of closure, the eyelash, is lowered toward the inferior edge of the optical orbit. If too much upper eyelid tissue is present, maintain the 2/3 upper 1/3 lower proportion, while equally distributing the excess tissue in the upper eyelid.

Wrinkles and folds are common in the upper eyelid, and will be much less noticeable than if the upper eyelid is too predominant on the closure. The height of the eyeball is often the culprit when posing the eyes is difficult. There is a simple anatomical guide that can help you determine if the eyeball is too low. Place the flat side of an aneurism hook on the supraorbital eminence (eyebrow), and on the zygomatic arch (cheekbone). Commonly, the eyelid or at least the eyelashes will be at the same level as these two bone structures.

Most often when there are problems, it is because the eye has sunken. This is usually caused by the surrounding tissue of the eye having diminished, thereby allowing the eyeball to drop further into the socket.

This is usually accompanied by hollows developing in the superior orbit of the eye, under the eyebrow. We generally see this with emaciated bodies.

In previous issues of The Dodge Magazine, Jack Adams and I have both detailed the restoration of sunken eyes using Inr-Seel.

Since this type of situation is presenting itself more often, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve talked to a number of embalmers who have successfully attempted this procedure. The eyeball itself is sometimes smaller than normal due to dehydration. This is common when a body has been refrigerated for a lengthy period of time. The vitreous humor begins to leave the eyeball, resulting in a flattening effect. Even when an eye cap is being used, the desired curvature may not result since the underlying eyeball is too low. While 56 | FuneralTimes

the eyeball can be reinflated using Feature Builder, I believe this is a procedure that should be done after the embalming has been completed in case distention occurs.

However, a more pleasing contour to the eye can be created prior to embalming by stacking the eye caps to the desired thickness, or by wrapping the eye cap with Webril towel and then coating it with Kalon Massage Cream. This will enable the eyelid to fixate in the proper contour, and then if desired, the eyeball can be restored to the proper roundness by hypodermically injecting it with Feature Builder Firming.

The closure is the easiest part of posing the eyes, but very important. By coating the eye cap with Kalip before inserting it, the emollient will stay in contact with the underside of the eyelids, deterring dehydration, shrinkage, and eyelid separation. The edges of the eyelids and the inner canthus are prone to moisture loss and browning, and require a complete closure and moisture barrier. An emollient adhesive cream such as Kalip Stay Cream should be applied to the top or bottom eyelid and then closed using the 2/3 upper 1/3 lower ratio that was previously mentioned. Care should be taken that the inner canthus has an adequate application of the Kalip and is completely closed. Maintaining proper perspective helps us to create a better overall result whether it relates to something as technical as embalming, or non-technical such as making arrangements with the family.

There are many â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;big picturesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in funeral service: the body, the surviving family, the service. Sometimes a step back is all we need to see a little more clearly.

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

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products to inform and direct traffic both at removal and interment.

To view the range of traffic management products visit the website on: www.funeraldirectorsolutions.ie or call us (Colm or Fiona on 042 9667309) to discuss your requirements further.

FuneralTimes | 59

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BIE News Ireland Division Hi all, Well since the last edition it’s been a very interesting and exciting few months.

Our joint meeting and educational session with our friends and colleagues in the Northern Irish division was a huge success and a number of thank yous need to be said.

First of all to the Northern Irish division for their very warm and welcoming hospitality and for the behind-the-scenes work in making the day so successful.

To Mr. Ben Whitworth for his continuing visits to Ireland and his educational sessions that are second to none. Our appreciation for Ben’s involvement just couldn’t be put into words.

To Shepherd’s Funeral Supplies for their continuing support for our organisation. We all know and appreciate the time and effort Shepherd’s put in to attend our events.

It was a great privilege to have our national

president present for the day, so thank you Barbara. Your diary is an extremely busy and important part of your presidency and to make sure your own division is always a priority to you shall always be commended and a special thanks is in order.

Finally, thank you to everybody who attended. The more members who attend these important events, the more interesting they become. It’s so important we keep our meetings interesting, exciting and encouraging. On that note, our AGM and first tri annual meeting of 2019 will be held in the Ospery hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare on January 20th 2019 at 2pm.

As it’s our AGM, we would love to see as many members as possible in attendance.

That just leaves me to wish each and every member, student and their families a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Thank You.

Ospery hotel, Naas

FuneralTimes | 61

N.I. Division News

(L-R) Gary Haire NAFD Chairman NI Federation, Laurence Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neill Chairman BIE NI Division, Barbara Fowley BIE National President, David Barrington 1st Vice President NAFD.

O

n Saturday 13th October 2018 the NI Division of the BIE held a joint education day with the Irish Division of the BIE in the Dunsilly Hotel, Antrim. The education session was delivered

by Mr Ben Whitworth on cases of facial trauma and how we as embalmers can treat the individual cases to the best of our abilities. The day was a great success and very informative for all members and students who attended. There was a trade stand for Shepherdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Funeral Supplies who were there to discuss the range of equipment and fluids etc. available to the embalmers to treat cases that Ben was discussing that day.

The evening was then rounded off with a joint Dunsilly Hotel, Antrim BIE and NAFD social dinner which again was well attended and a great opportunity for old and new friends to catch up and enjoy a meal and nights entertainment.

It was also a special evening for the family of the late Hugh Dougal who received a lovely piece of personalised Galway Crystal from the NAFD NI Federation in memory of their late father.

62 | FuneralTimes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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FuneralTimes | 63

Let’s hear it for the civil funeral celebrant!

A

civil funeral celebrant has to be all things to all people and much more besides.

They lead funerals that can include anything from physical fights to families at war to malfunctioning curtains!

At a recent ‘Institute of Civil Funerals’ best practice day in the UK, civil funeral celebrant members gave dramatic accounts of some of their experiences. It takes a certain type of individual to cope with the dramas and high emotions that arise and experiences seem to fall into certain categories.

Firstly what you might call ‘content issues’. At the slightly less difficult end are the families where the celebrant, try as they might, simply cannot extract any information whatsoever about the person who has died in order to make the ceremony personal and ‘tell the story’ of the life that has been lived. Using their own resourcefulness, celebrants report how they track down other people who knew the person and endeavour to build a picture to portray at the funeral. In other instances content is put forward by families with wording that is simply not repeatable or else it sets out to attack another person or organisation or is so badly written to be unreadable!

This is hard enough. Then we get to the category of ‘difficult family situations’ when the family is literally ‘at war’ within itself or family members detested the relative

who has died. The amount of tact and diplomacy required to create a meaningful funeral ceremony in these circumstances is unbelievable Special qualities are indeed required to deal with these situations. Unflustered professionalism is what is needed, along with great teamwork with chapel attendants and funeral directors.

Then there is the isolation of the work, sitting up till all hours on the night before the funeral, composing a revised ceremony with information that a family has just sent through. It happens all the time. Taking funerals for people who are known to the celebrant is really hard too, they all find this very difficult as they have to put their own feelings under their professional hat.

The other side of this difficult coin is the family that believes you can fit two hours’ worth of material, stories, poems and music into the permitted single slot at the crematorium.

The art of saying a lot in a few words is a key celebrant skill!

The emotional drain involved can only be imagined, especially with the ‘too soon’ deaths of babies, children and young people, the suicides and the deaths by accident or murder. Dealing with other peoples’ extreme grief and making the day of the funeral something that a family can bear is the role that we celebrants play. So all in all – let’s hear it for the civil funeral celebrant!

I would like to thank everyone for their continued support during 2018 and wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Padraic Cawley 64 | FuneralTimes

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FuneralTimes | 65

Lakelands - serving the industry with pride D

espite opening just over three years ago, Declan and the team at Lakelands Crematorium are thrilled with the progress they have made in this time and the impact they feel the service has had in the industry.

Lakelands have already made a name for themselves as well as forming strong friendships and working relationships with Funeral Directors across the island through the professional service they provide to both industry professionals and, especially, bereaved families. Last year the firm were heralded for their fast and safe return of ashes to Funeral Directors both North and South. It has been a productive 18 months for Lakelands, having petitioned for and finally received road signage from the National Roads Authority, providing comfort and ease to both Funeral Directors and families travelling to Lakelands Crematorium.

Given that Lakeland Crematorium caters for people from all walks of life, faiths and denominations, often going through one of the hardest times in their lives emotionally, it is crucial that the team are able to

66 | FuneralTimes

provide a genuinely welcoming and relaxed atmosphere which can go a long way in making what is a stressful, difficult day that little bit easier for the bereaved. With this said, the glowing feedback received from both individuals and industry professionals is testament to the effort put in on a daily basis by the caring and compassinate staff Declan has brought together. This is something that is treated with great pride as no family should have to endure the pressure of feeling rushed at their most vulnerable and sad time in lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s journey.

Lakelands crematorium continues to provide a first class professional service and the team there will cooperate fully with funeral director and family alike to assist in any way we can. The facility is open 7 days a week with no surcharge for weekends or bank holidays.

For more information you can contact Declan on (049) 4362200 or mobile 086 2458489. Alternatively you can email info@ lakelandscrematorium.ie or visit the website www.lakelandscrematorium.ie.

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‘Wilcox’ Jaguar fleet for G E Simnett & family funeral directors

W G

E Simnett & Family Funeral Directors is located in Challaston, Derby. They also have a second business located in Spondon, Derbyshire. George opened his first branch only 7 years ago at the age of 17.

He was the youngest funeral director in the country.

This is the second fleet that George has purchased from Wilcox Limousines, George said that he had been delighted with the first fleet that he had received from Wilcox, and is delighted to now get George Simnett receiving his pre-owned Jaguar his dream cars, a pair of Jaguars.

Hearse and Limousine from Malcolm Brooks of George also said that he thought it Wilcox Limousines Limited. was very important to him to be able to provide the very best cars for his families and the community. The Jaguars are very spacious and comfortable.

Wilcox Limousines Ltd would like to thank George and the team for their continued custom and wish them every success with their new fleet

New fleet of Jaguars for John Weir in the Medway J

W

ohn and Beverly Weir serve four towns in the Medway area of Kent and are well known for the quality of service they give their clients. John is also in his spare time a Justice of the Peace in the Medway area.

Wilcox Limousines and John celebrate significant milestones this year, Wilcox being 70 years old and John having been in the funeral trade for 50 years. In that time John has been a long standing customer and friend of Wilcox Limousines and says “We have been totally satisfied with the workmanship and quality of the Jaguars, they really are in a league of their own.

The after sales service we receive from Martyn Templett and all the staff at Wilcox contributes to the relationship and smooth running of our business”.

Louis Wilcox would like to thank John and Beverly for their continued support and wish them every success with the new fleet.

John Weir receiving his new fleet from Wilcox Limousines FuneralTimes | 69

New delivery for Keohane’s Funeral Home of Cork From all at Byrne Coachbuilders we would like to wish the Team at Keohane’s Funeral Home continued growth and success as they keep progressing with this new addition in the Deacon V Hybrid Hearse.

K

eohane’s Funeral Directors is a family run business based in Cork with funeral homes in Copley Street and Old Youghal Road, Mayfield, Cork. The business is managed by its founder John Keohane and, with the help of his family, they provide a dignified and supportive funeral service in Cork.

The new arrival of the Ford Deacon Hybrid Hearse is a welcome addition to the fleet. This will provide families with an eco-friendly funeral procession. John feels it is the right decision to try and be more environmentally conscious across their funeral homes and operations and, with this

70 | FuneralTimes

in mind, feels it is a good start putting the Hybrid Hearse into service.

Ford has a long tradition going back in Cork over the last 100 years and being able to continue this is nice by bringing the first Ford Hybrid Hearse into service in Cork in Henry Ford’s favourite colour: black.

The firm are striving to make their contribution to reducing their carbon foot print while on the road and are also looking at ways to do so in their funeral homes with the introduction of solar panels for heating and LV panels for meeting power demands.

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What is our Digital Legacy?

By Jennifer Muldowney 1.8 million Facebook users will die in 2018. etiquette is evolving and revolving around Gone are the days that the attic stored social media as is the case with all celebrated thousands of photos and letters and life events like weddings, bar mitzvahs etc. memories. These are all online now in Funerals and funeral planning have taken email accounts, on Facebook, Instagram, in on an entire new meaning as people factor clouds, and elsewhere. in online social identities and ways of These photos, videos, tweets, blogs and communicating a moment of loss around emails are digital or online assets that may the world. have significant value for family and friends Funeral homes have had to ‘get with of the deceased. the times’ as they try to hold fast to their On October 27th in Albany, New York, historically steady business. Digital The Digital Legacy Conference took place, marketing for them can mean moving which brought together an eclectic group forward and engaging with their customers of academics, industry professionals and on a whole other level not before seen in experts from around the world with an aim the death business OR online can mean of raising industry standards, sharing best negative reviews and stale websites and practice, and engaging with the subject of pages because if you choose to go online, as death and digital. we all know, it is a full time commitment.

In a study, published in the journal Facebook pages and Instagram accounts NATURE HUMAN BEHAVIOUR, data cannot be started and just left to ‘do their from more than 15,000 social media own thing’. A carefully strategized digital networks of people who died were examined communications plan can boost awareness during a 4-year period. They examined how of your funeral home, dispel myths of the people interacted on those networks both grim reaper and show the general public before and after a death. The result was that the true heart of a funeral home. People buy people are indeed now grieving ONLINE from people, people whom they know and and use online channels to stay connected trust, and this is no different in the death to networks of the deceased. Online death business. needs to be addressed, both in terms of Millions attended Whitney Houston’s our legacies left online, how we funeral and listened to “I will grieve online and how people always love you” as her body can be negatively affected left the local church. Just by online trolling during recently the Queen of times of grief.

Soul, Aretha Franklin, The idea of using exited stage left in your phone to take front of millions all ‘selfies’ with an app around the world in that has features like a four day funeral dog-faced filters and extravaganza. The an obsession with church had set up hot dogs and glittery a huge screen to halos seems to go livestream the service against the etiquette at a local gas station of a typical funeral. parking lot for her local But these times, they community.

Aretha Franklin, are changing and funeral EVERYONE can be let in Queen of Soul

72 | FuneralTimes

to experience these historically selective events.

When it comes to celebrities, the public want closure, according to the Famous NYC Funeral Home to the Stars – Frank E. Campbell. The funeral home stood as a backdrop to those who came to mourn Heath Ledger in NYC in 2008. The Heath intense dedication and unity of the Ledger mourners, the familial connections felt for people they have never met, the volatility of grief was apparent for all to see and this is not just reserved for Heath Ledger and his fans but to every “celebrity” or person in the public arena. They need to be a part of that life that they have never touched personally, individually, privately, and in person — but through the media, through television, through the movies - it was very much a part of their growing up and their life. They want closure.

People from every walk of life.”

And we have almost all become celebrities in our own right. A teenager today can have over 1000 friends on Facebook and yet a baby boomer may have only ever had 5 friends growing up. Suddenly it puts it all into a weird perspective.

Snapchat, YouTube and Twitter have also made us much more comfortable with sharing intimate details about ourselves online with strangers on a constant basis.

Many deaths and funerals are reported, commented on, tweeted, snapped, recorded and posted online before even their loved ones have heard of the news. This poses positive and negative repercussions. A number of people are finding out about friends and family members’ deaths via social media - an emotional blow and not purposefully revealed to cause pain but none the less this is a new trajectory to navigate.

An entire new industry has been created with our Digital Estate in mind – these days there is such a thing as digital executors, Digital estate planning, post death planning, online memorials, QR codes for headstones, cemetery mapping, virtual attendance at funerals, life after death in the form of holograms and so on. This industry will only

increase as more and more innovation surrounds the death industry in the digital space.

Preparation for end of life has also gone digital with Google recently announcing a new AI tool that is able to predict the death of hospital patients with 95% accuracy, palliative care with digital music therapy to help slow breathing rates, ease anxiety and soften the path to end of life.

Bob Dylan said it best : Come gather round people, wherever you roam And admit the waters around you have grown Accept it that soon you’ll be drenched to the bone If your time is worth saving then you better start swimming Or you’ll sink like a stone For times they are a changin.

FuneralTimes | 73

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Finlay go green Finlay are an environmentally aware company and are conscious of sustaining the world’s resources for future generations. One aspect of this is the initiation of a programme in the production process to continue to reduce our carbon footprint; something we are quite proud of.

The group are using wood waste and sawdust via the dust extraction unit as a source of heat and energy in the production facilities and further implement many other energy saving measures within the company, all contributing to Finlay’s goal of becoming a carbon neutral supplier.

CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR CLOSURE DATES We at Finlay would like to wish you and yours a very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

Thank you for your support throughout 2018 and we look forward to working with you in 2019.

Dates of Closure Monday, 24th December - Holiday Tuesday, 25th December - Holiday Wednesday, 26th December - Holiday Thursday, 27th December - Holiday

Friday, 28th December – Open Monday, 31st December – Open Tuesday, 1st January – Holiday Wednesday, 2nd January - Open

FuneralTimes | 77

Scalpels, skulls and rigor mortis

By Mattie Lennon

I have just finished a book which I heartily recommend to anyone who has even the slightest interest in dead bodies.

London-born Dr. Richard Shepherd is the forensic pathologist in the UK, who investigates and solves mysteries of unexplained or sudden deaths. He is a visiting professor at City University London, Honorary Consultant at The Royal Liverpool Hospital and a registered UK Home Office Forensic Pathologist.

He has been involved in the investigation of many high profile deaths. He advised on the management of UK fatalities following 9/11, and was the forensic pathologist expert for the Bloody Sunday Inquiry and the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. He is a member of the Ministerial Independent Advisory Panel on Deaths in Custody and also of the Restraint Accreditation Board, and has been a member of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeals Panel.

He appears on Channel Five’s Autopsy, where he investigates the mystery and intrigue behind the deaths of high profile celebrities such as Michael Jackson and Michael Hutchence.

His first book, Unnatural Causes, was published by Penguin in September. In it he brings the reader on a step-by-step journey through his career. His literary prowess is evident from page 1, where he mentions the North Downs, “…bearing an odd similarity to the rise and fall of the human body.” In almost every one of the 392 pages I asked myself why this wordsmith waited until he was sixty five to write his first book.

He first became interested in “bodies” at age thirteen when a book was smuggled 78 | FuneralTimes

into his school. Yes. I know what you’re thinking! But no, the book was a textbook on forensic medicine and the young Richard was immediately hooked. In the course of his career his work has put killers behind bars and ensured that the innocent walked free. His evidence has overturned what appeared to be watertight cases.

He is to all intents and purposes a detective whose question is, “How did this person die?”

Dr. Shepherd has faced serial killers, natural disaster, ‘perfect murders’ and freak accidents, all in the pursuit of the truth. And while he’s been involved in some of the most high profile cases of recent times, it’s often the less wellknown encounters that prove the most perplexing, intriguing and even bizarre.

Like Rumpole of the Bailey, I’m sure he, at times, annoyed his spouse at home in the kitchen while carrying out experiments on joints of meat. “I didn’t stab every Sunday roast with a variety of knives, but the children definitely did see me do it sometimes,” he once said.

But a working life in death, dealing with some of humanity’s darkest corners is sure to take its toll. Shepherd doesn’t flinch from counting the cost to him and his family. Exposure to stomach-churning violence meant that he was eventually diagnosed with PTSD. He felt that he wouldn’t ever be able to practice at the chosen profession, which he loved, again.

But, “Gradually the world of colour and beauty began to reform itself around me.” He once again was able to wield the scalpel over his “patients”, who neither complain nor tell lies. He sums up his return to practice in the final six words

of this book, “I did care. I still do.”

Laurence J. Peter said, “Before publisher’s blurbs were invented, authors had to make their reputations by writing.”

Perhaps he was right. The blurb on this book states, ”Unnatural Causes is an unputdownable record of an extraordinary A Warsaw man who was married to a Wicklow woman felt that a meeting with the local undertaker was imminent. He believed that his wife had poisoned him when he found, on her dressing-table, a small empty bottle bearing the label, POLISH REMOVER. A reporter from East Coast Radio was interviewing an 80 year-old west Wicklow woman who had just got married for the fourth time.

The interviewer asked her numerous questions about her life and about what it was like to be married again at 80 and then about her new husband’s occupation.

“He’s a funeral undertaker”, she said.

The newsman became very interested and asked her about her first three

life, a unique insight into a remarkable profession, and above all a powerful and reassuring testament to lives cut short.”

This is an understatement. In the words of a more able interviewer than I, Dr. Shepherd ‘Puts the reader at his elbow as he wields the scalpel’.

Jimmy Norton was at a wake in Ballyknockan, where the daughter of the house was a member of the caring profession who insisted in giving a detailed, chronological account of her father’s last hours.

When she got to, “…and about four o’ Clock Rigor Mortis set in”, Jimmy asked, “Is that what kilt him.” husbands and what they did for a living.

She paused, smiled and told him that she had married a banker in her twenties, a circus ringmaster in her forties and a preacher in her sixties. The reporter was astonished and asked her why she had married four men with such diverse careers. He got his answer; “I married one for money, two for show, three to get ready and four to go.”

Skull Tower, known locally as Cele Kula, is located in the Serbian town of Nis. Way back in the early 19th century, Serbian rebels blew themselves up after failing to hold a tower, killing a great deal of Ottoman soldiers.

In response, an Ottoman general picked up all of the rebel skulls he could find (952 in all) and embedded them in the tower’s remains. Then, in 1985, local Serbs built a church around the tower, which you can visit today.

FuneralTimes | 79

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