The National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF) is a Society that seeks to uphold the ethical principles that are at the heart of Independent Funeral Direction. However, we recognise that our members need to use modern business technologies in order to provide a service that is compatible with today's consumer.

The Funeral profession has seen more change in the last fifteen years than the previous one hundred years. Therefore, SAIF has been proactive since the 1990's in promoting campaigns for 'fair funeral practices'. This is to draw attention before the public, the media and Government of the unfair practices that had to be halted before it brought the good name of the funeral profession into disrepute.

SAIF continues to actively promote good funeral practices and challenge the unfair practices of:

Restriction of choice of funeral director when

a) choosing a funeral pre-payment plan

b) when choosing a funeral director following a death in hospital

c) when choosing a funeral director following a sudden death dealt with by the Coroner/Procurator Fiscal

Aggressive marketing by companies who appear to take advantage of the bereaved's vulnerability in selling 'upwards' for products such as coffins and services. Also, direct marketing that has small print that indicates that the funeral pre-payment plan does not include disbursement costs.

Soliciting nursing homes, hospices, hospitals by companies that seek to secure recommendations by inducements and/or subsidising reasonable charges.

Lack of Transparency of Ownership of funeral firms, pre-payment companies and crematoria.