The riddle of the Sage
Fans and followers of the egregious Richard Sage aka Mark Kerby will be pleased to know that, since his release from prison, he has been living in straitened circumstances in Westcliff-on-Sea. In case you had forgotten, he was jailed for fraud. Only after he had been banged up did it become apparent that money handed […]
The lion rampant?
Editor’s note: We received this blog post from Mark and publish it as we feel it raises matters of great concern to funeral consumers and practitioners alike. Out of courtesy, we provided the NAFD with an advance copy and invited them to comment. We were advised that their legal team required several statements made by […]
Lifetime Achievement Award 2017
A stellar line up of well known names in the funeral world comprised this year’s shortlist for the lifetime achievement award, all of whom merited a mention for the work that they have done in their field. Natasha Bradshaw, Superintendent and General Registrar from Mortlake Crematorium and specifically for her role in the joint working […]
The ‘What To Do With The Ashes’ Award 2017
Introduced for the first time in 2017, this category had six shortlisted candidates, all of whom offer alternative solutions to the perennial question of what to do with the ashes. The runner up in this category was chosen for their personal involvement and artistry in creating bespoke funerary urns with input from families, resulting in […]
Best Funeral Caterer 2017
Melanie Hurley of Rocket Catering With just two shortlisted candidates for this category, both were in line for a certificate, but the winner was chosen for their sensitive and specialised approach to catering for bereaved families. It was apparent from the real attention to detail and the thoughtful approach that this company has, that the […]
Best Traditional Funeral Director 2017
There was no shortage of candidates for this category, and the shortlisted 13 names included individuals as well as companies. Traditional funeral directing continues to thrive, and the judges found it difficult to select the most deserving from among the entries submitted as all clearly have the highest of standards and impeccable presentation. Eventually the […]
Best Modern Funeral Director 2017
The team at Full Circle Funerals Another category attracting many strong nominations and entries, the title of Best Modern Funeral Director reflects a growing change in the funeral sector to a more contemporary approach to funeral arrangements. The judges looked at all aspects of the companies that were shortlisted including their online presence, and were […]
Most Promising Trainee Funeral Director 2017
Three excellent candidates for this title made the judges’ decision particularly hard. All finalists demonstrate dedication, a thirst for knowledge and the empathy and professionalism that is the mark of a first class funeral director. Selecting one over the other two was a difficult choice, but the final decision was made in acknowledgement of the […]
Most Promising New Funeral Business 2017
This category attracted a number of strong entries, with 11 finalists ranging from traditional to more unconventional businesses. The judges believe that it is essential that any future regulation of the funeral industry does not place barriers in the way of newcomers, as it is the emergence of new innovative thinking about how to do […]
Funeral Arranger of the Year 2017
Often the most recognisable face of many funeral businesses, the role of funeral arranger is a critically important one. It is the arranger who builds relationships with families, who becomes the trusted friend and advisor and who ensures that all the details are taken care of. All finalists this year demonstrate outstanding people skills […]
