Funeral Service Times August 2017 FST August 2017 no bleed marks | Page 3

Established 2006 Editor Sara Cork [email protected] Editorial Assistant Domonique Wilsher [email protected] Production Assistant Karly Besnard [email protected] Commercial Manager Suzanne Smith [email protected] Y 2015 Accounts Apex Business Media Ltd 01481 730418 Subscriptions Apex Business Media Ltd 01481 730418 or the UK’s funeral profession Contributing writers: Justin Daughters ice 14 stock shares essential information for employers col 16 Funeral Service Times is published monthly by: id Crampton describes new testing procedures Caskets 19 to choose a fi nal resting place y 26 e president of the BIFD, considers important legalities Mulberry Publications Ltd. eath 28 Colchester ried to place a ban on dying Office: Wellington House, Butt Road, Managing? 32 Colchester CO3 3DA w series investigates management techniques Tel: [phone] the Family 37 London Office: funeral directors Mulberry with a 300-year history Ltd. Publications 154-160 Fleet Street ident 41 London talks to Funeral Service Times dent, Gemma O’Driscoll, EC4A 2DQ round the World 44 176 6185 Tel: 0203 isits Havana’s Colon Cemetery www.funeralservicetimes.co.uk n your Eyes 47 h the controversial author and blogger Caitlin Doughty Cover image supplied by: Berganza www.berganza.com Munnings shares his view on Buddhist funerals ? 56 ISSN 2046-7273 tigates her sense The of self editor and publishers do not guarantee the accuracy of statements made by contributors or advertisers, or accept responsibility for any statement that they express The opinion of the contributors may describes a few in of this the publication. fascinating not necessarily be the opinion of the publishers. Articles t in this famous are cemetery considered for publication on the basis that they are the author’s original work. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or any form or by any means, electronic, urer, Batesville, transmitted shares the in secret to success mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the permission of the publishers. metery 59 ofi le 62 Caskets 65 gh quality products 9 www.funeralservicetimes.co.uk ains how he improved services off ered to clients 3 A few weeks ago I was pleased to talk to Natalie Editor’s letter McKail about her plans for the next two years. As Scotland’s first inspector of funeral directors she'll be travelling around the country to build strong working relationships with members of the Dear readers, We’re entering an exciting time for profession and other stakeholders. the funeral profession. Th e National Regulation within the funeral sector has been a major Funeral Exhibition (NFE) is only weeks away. Funeral Service Times’ team topic of discussion for decades, but over the last few weeks is looking forward to saying hello to the debate pick up pace. Part of Natalie’s newly all of our we’ve readers seen at the show on June 12-14. Please feel role welcome to stop at created will involve providing recommendations to our stall and pick up a free magazine. ministers a range you of issues, including potential licensing Th is May we have on brought another fact-packed issue. Our coffi ns are no set outcomes yet but for funeral directors. There and caskets section (page 19) showcases the sector’s rest of many the UK is watching with interest to see whether some of the craftspeople. Steve Soult Limited, of this in Scotland and - perhaps, changes will the be provider implemented month’s cover image, is just one of the one - ering throughout the UK. Turn to page 12 to learn more companies to day be off high quality, personalised resting places. We and hope objectives. you’ll about Natalie’s aims take inspiration from the wide range funeral plans have also been placed under the of p roducts Pre-paid and materials on display. spotlight during the last few weeks. Independent consumer I hope you enjoy this issue. group Fairer Finance (in partnership with Dignity) released a report calling for stronger regulation of the funeral planning industry. Many organisations from around the sector responded with comments of their own. On page 24 Funeral Service Times, asks a few key stakeholders to share their own views on the report and the future of funeral plans. I hope you enjoy this issue. Sara Sara Sara Cork Cork Editor, Funeral Service Editor, Funeral Service Times Times [email protected] [email protected] AUGUST 2017