02/04/2026
In this era of change, it's vital that independent funeral directors stay up-to-date with all the latest best practices to ensure bereaved families can continue to access the highest standard of care.
That's why H. Porter & Sons colleagues Lucy, Leanne and Alex attended the SAIF independent funeral directors AGM Banquet weekend in Stratford-upon-Avon on Friday and Saturday. The event was a superb opportunity to step away from the office to catch up with colleagues from across the country and learn about the evolving funeral landscape.
Insightful discussions and meaningful updates included:
Supporting female funeral directors: Lucy took part in a SAIF Women in Business group, which provides a dedicated network for women in our profession to share expertise and offer mutual support.
Championing local independents: We learned about a new cross-sector alliance dedicated to raising awareness of the unique value offered by independent funeral directors. Now more than ever, it is important to highlight the personal care, transparency and local expertise that sets independent firms apart from online-only providers.
The Final Salute: We were deeply moved by guest speaker Lanae Strovers, an American funeral director who shared her work with the ‘Final Salute’ project. Her story highlighted the global importance of providing a dignified resting place for unclaimed cremated remains - a responsibility we take very seriously within our own community.
The event also marked the culmination of local funeral director Ross Hickton's year as SAIF National President. Ross, who runs Hickton Family Funeral Directors in Cradley Heath, has been a brilliant advocate for independent funeral directors - thank you for all your efforts representing the profession!
At H. Porter & Sons, we believe that continuous professional development is essential. By staying in tune with national and international best practices, we can provide comfort and peace of mind to the families who turn to us in their hour of need.
