News & Events

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An update regarding the UK's testing and tracing systems 
SAIF continues to address questions of concern about the potential impact of the NHS test and trace system, known as Test and Protect in Scotland, on funeral businesses. Please rest assured that we are pursuing this matter urgently and discussed the issue on your behalf during this week's Cabinet Office meeting (Thursday, 4th June) and are seeking clarification about the possibility of an exemption for funeral directors, who have had contact with Covid-19 cases whilst wearing PPE, from the requirement to self-isolate. The Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC) holds the responsibility for the testing and tracing system, and we have asked the Deceased Management Advisory Group (DMAG) to invite the DHSC to discuss it with us next week.

Please note that funeral directors are not alone in their concerns, with care homes and other members of the care and emergency service sectors raising questions too. We understand that the NHS test and trace system is still in its development phase and as soon as we have further information we will release guidance for members.

Official guidance on procuring body bags
The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) has issued the following guidance with regard to PVC body bags.

Some body bags are made from plastic-based, highly halogenated materials such as Poly-Vinyl Chloride (PVC). Combustion of PVC and other highly halogenated materials can cause dioxin formation during the cremation process. Dioxins are harmful to human health and the environment.

As a preventative measure to avoid potential dioxin emissions, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) would like to highlight the following:

• Public Health England (PHE) guidance states that if body bags are used for cremation, they must not contain any PVC or any highly chlorinated material.
• In addition, body bags made of other materials containing a high level of halogens (chlorine, fluorine, bromine and iodine) should not be procured where practically possible.
• There are alternatives to PVC body bags available, made using materials which are not highly chlorinated or halogenated. Please note this DHSC specification for body bags.

PHE guidance on the use of body bags for deceased persons who are suspected or confirmed to have died from Covid-19 can be found here. Additionally, questions or concerns can be emailed to: Control.Pollution@defra.gov.uk.

Funeral costs support available to care workers affected by Covid-19.
The Care Workers' Charity has set up a special Covid-19 Emergency Fund to help care workers who are forced to take time off due to the coronavirus pandemic and need financial help with matters such as funeral costs and self-isolation living expenses. 

Applicants must work in a role that is involved in or supports the provision of adult, elderly or disability care. These may include residential social care, domiciliary/home care, supported living care. If a care worker is responsible for paying for the funeral costs of a next of kin (partner, parent, sibling, child, or other on a case-by-case basis), the charity is offering up to £2,000 grants/per applicant (whilst funds last). If the care worker has passed on, the next of kin or employer may apply on behalf of the family.

Further information about this support is available here and may be of interest to families in your care.

SAIF Business Centre
National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF)
www.saif.org.uk

Celebrants across the UK are now included in the official list of key workers, which has been drawn up as the nation battles the coronavirus crisis.

The move follows a lobby made by one of the country’s leading sector organisations.

Concerned that Church of England ministers may be under severe pressure in the coming weeks and months, the Association of Independent Celebrants, (AOIC) made its case for professional Celebrants to be added to the list. It is also a fact that some relatives of the deceased may wish to have Celebrants conduct proceedings, which could have been prevented by their exclusion from the list.

With the above in mind, the AOIC’s Executive Chair Philip Spicksley, took up the issue on behalf of Celebrants. Following discussions between Phil and the Chief Executive of SAIF, Terry Tennens, the matter was discussed at the most recent meeting of The Death Management Advisory Group (DMAG).

“As a result of that, I am both pleased and relieved to see that Celebrants have now been recognised as key workers. In these totally unprecedented times, we must all pull together to offer what help and support we can to each other,” said Phil.

As reported, the Government’s list of people deemed ‘key workers’ was revealed as schools and colleges were ordered to close – it is only the children of such workers, aged and including 17, with vulnerable children to the age of 25, who can continue to attend education providers. 

Whilst the list included ‘religious staff’ and ‘those responsible for managing the deceased’ there was no mention of Celebrants.

“This situation is now clarified, and I thank Terry for ensuring that is the case,” added Phil.

Here at Mountain Celebrations our team of Diploma trained Celebrants can individually designed your bespoke ceremony.
 
All will be created and delivered with professionalism, warmth and feeling. They work with you to create a beautifully tailored Wedding Celebration Ceremony.
 
This will reflect your individual needs and contain special meaning for you both.

Celebrating your memorable and unique occasion.
 
Albeit a formal, white wedding Blessing, or something less conventional, it’s important to us that each couple has and achieves their dream day.
 
A traditional church wedding, with ritual and religious words does not fit with everyone’s outlook on life and the Registrar is guided by rules and regulations on where ceremonies can be conducted.
 
Our ceremonies here at Mountain Celebrations are guided by you and only you….
 
Your ceremony, your way, your content, your choice of venue…. you can have as much or as little
religious content as you desire, with the added uniqueness of an additional option like Handfasting, the pouring of the Sands, Jumping the Broom or Crowning’s.

A Celebrant Ceremony can take place anywhere and be designed to suit the individuals concerned.
Our ceremonies can be as creative and romantic as the you want.
 
Mountain Celebrations has officiated at many wonderful unique Wedding Blessings in many countries Worldwide…. From gardens, Marquees, on Boats, in Castles, and on Beaches.
 
You choose your venue somewhere that is special to you and here at
Mountain Celebrations we will make it happen.

We encourage you to choose a wide range of readings, poems, songs, and music to make your ceremony unique to you and all elements from many cultures can be incorporated, bring together our very cosmopolitan culture that we live in today.

We love to get family and friends involved…. anyone can speak, and actively participate in the ceremony.
 
Here at Mountain Celebrations we embrace love, laughter and happiness….
 
So
 
“Share your memories with Mountain Celebrations”
 
For those of you who have been disappointed with the restrictions imposed on the Church during this time, you can still go ahead with your wedding plans, and at a later date, continue the celebrations with the legal ceremony once the churches have reopened.

For more information please get in touch

Those who are planning a funeral at this time, will be worried for their safety of their loved ones and of course themselves. Planning a funeral at any time is stressful, emotional and potentially sometimes difficult, but with coronavirus (COVID-19) now classified as a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO), there are additional factors to take into consideration.

For more details please read our news letters..

We are pleased to announce that our new Diploma Certificate in Civil Celebracy Training Course is now available. View course details

There are occasions when distance, health or other circumstances can stop family from attending a family funeral which, as you know, can be devastating.

So we’re thrilled to launch our new Live Funeral Streaming Service which can provide a great alternative, by giving people the opportunity to view it from the comfort of their own home and at the same time feeling as though they were a part of the occasion, allowing them the opportunity to see and hear the funeral in real time, regardless of where they are in the world. 

We can stream from churches, crematoriums and even the graveside.

For more details please contact Shaun on 07772 509101
https://www.ukfuneralvideoservices.com

We are delighted to announce that we have been selected as a finalist for 'Small Business of the Year' award at The Welsh Woman's Awards 2019!  Thank so much for all your nominations!
​

Caerphilly Business Forum Awards Winner Stories ​​

"If you believe in it do it, take the chance, be brave, be strong, always ask for help you will never succeed unless you try and fight for success. Nobody is going to hand it to you on a plate it takes sacrifice, hard work, long hours and all of your money… but the rewards when success comes is amazing. 

I was so pleased we won a highly commended award last year, so this topped it off, being a woman in business is tough, especially when you don’t have an academic business background. So, winning for me is like winning for all woman who wish to achieve!"

Claire Mountain
Mountain Celebrations Ltd

More and more families are requesting for their loved ones memorial and thanksgiving services to be filmed or photographed. It often falls on Funeral Directors to search the internet on behalf of their clients to find someone experienced enough who can be trusted to do this professionally and discreetly. 

So we thought we would save you a little time, reach out and let you know that we're here should any of your clients ever need a videographer or photographer. We film and photograph over 40 funerals a year, have lots of great feedback on our website and would be thrilled if you would keep hold of our details should one of your clients need a funeral recording or photographing. 

We are proud of the relationships we have built with Funeral Directors, Celebrants, Ministers and many others throughout the industry and would be thrilled to do the same with you. 

For more details, please contact Shaun at: https://www.ukfuneralvideoservices.com
Or phone: 07772 509101

We are delighted to announce that ​The Caerphilly Business Forum Awards have awarded us as "Highly Commended" award.