N. E. Downing Funeral Directors

03/12/2024

We would like to extend our congratulations to John Adams for his remarkable work in advocating for grief education in schools, which has now resulted in a parliamentary debate on this vital issue. 🏛️

We all understand the importance of preparing young people to cope with loss and navigate grief in healthy, supportive ways. John’s efforts to bring this topic to the forefront of education policy are a significant step toward ensuring that children and young people have access to the resources and understanding they need.

16/05/2024

Our lovely old Morris Oxford been used again for the first time in over 30 years. Thank you to the family for letting me post this.

12/03/2024

With the shocking news of police intervention at a funeral directors in Hull over the weekend our thought go out to all the families affected. When looking for a funeral director to take care of your loved one, we urge you to look for SAIF accredited Independent Funeral Directors to care for their Funeral Arrangements.

Why aren’t all funeral directors inspected?

At this time there are no statutory requirements for a funeral director to be inspected. This is an entirely voluntary process by the funeral service providers and there are varying levels of code they can choose to adopt.

There is a general belief that funeral directors are regulated in some way but in fact the process of regulation is still at a relatively early stage in the UK with the exception of Scotland that will become regulated in March 2025.

This may be confusing to the consumer as there is not a great deal of clarity on what standards apply to funeral directors.

Funeral directors may choose to meet voluntary requirements by joining a trade association. Currently in the United Kingdom, only one trade association requires members to meet the highest level of standards through their ISO9001 certified inspection programme.
Outside of trade association membership, funeral directors can provide whatever level of care they deem to be appropriate. This creates a risk of care falling far short of even the lowest voluntary code of practice.

In March 2022, funeral director members of The National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF) voted to change their Code of Practice to increase the standards required of a member business. Further, SAIF successfully achieved the ISO9001 certification for their Quality Assurance program. This was seen as a significant step towards a regulated profession by none other than independent family owned members of the profession itself.

“This was a clear signal from the Society and its membership that any future regulation of funeral directors needs to set a high standard to ensure that in combination with the Competition and Markets Authority Order addressing pricing and transparency of ownership, funeral service providers who continue to fail they families they serve should not be allowed to practice. The SAIF Standard is the highest benchmark for funeral directors in the United Kingdom. Every single member is subject to independent inspection without exception.” Terry Tennens, SAIF Chief Executive.

Whilst the quality of funeral service providers can vary greatly, choosing a funeral director is made a much easier task by ensuring that they are members of SAIF. It is your guarantee that their business has been fully inspected and complies with the strictest code of practice.

Stay funeral safe with SAIF.

31/10/2023

Our fleet, old and new. Amazing how they have grown and developed over the years! Our Morris Oxford we bought new in 1970 and current generation Mercedes E Class Hybrid fleet bought earlier this year. Both manufactured by Coleman Milne.

01/08/2023

We'll be there with a selection of our funeral cars, old and new.

28/04/2023

Out in our new hybrid Mercedes fleet. Looking great in this spring sunshine.

27/01/2023

10/06/2022

Great day at the National Funeral Exhibition. Lots of interesting products and nice to catch up with friends.

24/03/2022

We bought this very hearse new in 1971. We have now bought it back and intend to restore it. When done it will be offered as an alternative hearse to our modern Mercedes fleet and also be out and about at shows locally.

16/11/2021

All the best for the future and thank you for helping so many of our families.

Farewell to our Parish Priest Fr Rob...........

Canon Fr Rob Hall has been Team Vicar for St Peter's here in Cradley since Rev Katryn left for Elmley Castle in June this year. However, Fr Rob has been part of St Peter's and the wider Halas Team Ministry for twenty years this coming Saturday.

As well as being responsible for St Peter's and the people of Cradley, he has been Team Vicar of St Margaret's at Hasbury since 2001 and more recently Team Rector of the Halas Team.

Fr Rob has been extremely supportive of all that we do at St Peter's and within the Halas Team and has been a very dedicated priest, carrying out his duties with sincerity and care.

Fr Rob has been appointed Vicar of St Paul's Church in Walsall town centre and of St Luke's Church, Chuckery nearby, both in the Diocese of Lichfield. As a Black Country chap, he is sure to settle well into his new appointment at Walsall and support everyone in his new parish.

He will be sorely missed at St Peter's and within the Halas Team. We give thanks for all that he has done during his time with us and pray for him during the next chapter of his ministry.

Fr Rob's final service at St Peter's is this coming Sunday 14th November at 9.30am. All are very welcome to come along to bid him farewell.

Thank you Rob for all that you have done!

11/11/2021