Standing with SAIF

Here at Tester & Jones Funeral Services, the news about the sentencing of a funeral director in Hull is truly shocking and we are thinking about everyone who has been touched by these events.

While, the UK funeral industry remains officially unregulated currently, families do have the option of choosing a local funeral director – such as Tester & Jones – that is a member of the industry association SAIF.

As a long-time member of SAIF, we abide by its Quality Assurance Programme – which ensures members of the public receive the first-class service they expect from using an independent funeral director. In addition, all members undergo an inspection of their premises and operations on a periodic basis.

We underwent our Quality Assurance Inspection recently and are proud to have passed. This means families, and their loved ones we have the privilege of caring for, will continue to be welcomed into a safe, respectful and supportive environment.

We stand by the response of SAIF to the sentencing. In his statement, Terry Tennens, CEO of SAIF, said:

“We are eager to see the new Burnham government move forwards with regulation of the funeral profession. We want to see all responsible players from across the sector come together to support efforts to introduce a regulatory regime that applies to each and every business involved in care of the deceased and their loved ones. To achieve this, we strongly support the model proposed by the Funeral Regulation Task Group (FRTG), which establishes mandatory licensing for all funeral service providers, registration for individual practitioners and formal educational accreditation. In addition to the code of practice, businesses should also have to nominate a personally accountable ‘fit and proper’ designated person and submit to a robust, independent inspectorate empowered to conduct unannounced spot checks.”

Having been part of the Crowborough community for more than 20 years, we truly appreciate it when a family trusts us to look after their loved one – something we do with the utmost pride, care and dignity – and support proposed regulation of our industry.

If you have any questions at all, then call 01892 611811 or pop into our office in London Road, Crowborough.