The GFG Blog
2017Dec
To the trustees of all hospices in the UK
Fran Hall
Dec
05
7 comments
Last weekend, we despatched letters to the boards of trustees of every hospice in the UK to share our concerns about the new franchise offer that was launched at the Hospices UK conference the previous week. Our misgivings about this venture are shared by a number of individuals and
2017Nov
An open letter to the National Association of Funeral Directors
Fran Hall
Nov
25
21 comments
This afternoon an e-mail was sent to all members of the National Association of Funeral Directors announcing that Mandie Lavin, the CEO appointed just under 15 months ago, is no longer employed by the Association. No explanation has been given for her abrupt departure, but as the current President steps
Look what’s cooking.
Fran Hall
Nov
22
17 comments
There’s something afoot in funeral world. Letters have been pinging into the inbox of funeral directors around the country advising them of a shiny new entrant into the world of undertaking. “Over the next few days you may read about a new funeral company called Hospice Funerals LLP. It has
2017Oct
The riddle of the Sage
Charles
Oct
27
4 comments
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
The lion rampant?
Fran Hall
Oct
24
4 comments
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
Lifetime Achievement Award 2017
Fran Hall
Oct
12
1 comment
Clive Leverton A stellar line up of well known names in the funeral world comprised this year’s shortlist for the lifetime
The ‘What To Do With The Ashes’ Award 2017
Fran Hall
Oct
08
1 comment
Toby Angel from Sacred Stones Ltd. 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
Best Funeral Caterer 2017
Fran Hall
Oct
07
1 comment
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
Best Traditional Funeral Director 2017
Fran Hall
Oct
06
1 comment
A. W. Lymn – The Family Funeral Service 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,
Best Modern Funeral Director 2017
Fran Hall
Oct
05
1 comment
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