Sam - Representing the Funeral Directors Association
Posts by Sam - Representing the Funeral Directors Association for News & Advocacy
Planning an environmentally friendly funeral
How to plan a more environmentally conscious funeral—surprising facts about burial vs cremation, practical eco-friendly choices, and ways to create a farewell that honours a loved one’s values and the planet.
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Handling family disagreements during funeral planning
Practical, compassionate guidance for when families clash during funeral planning—showing how to honour different relationships, reduce tension, and create a meaningful farewell without needing perfect agreement.
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Choosing a funeral director - the questions that protect you
Before you choose a funeral director, this blog shares the simple questions that protect you from pressure, hidden costs and poor care—so you can ensure your loved one is treated with dignity and you have real accountability if something goes wrong.
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What happens to your online life after you’re gone?
Simple steps to protect your digital legacy—so your family isn’t left locked out of photos, accounts, and finances (or paying subscriptions) after you’re gone.
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What to do when something goes wrong with a funeral
When something goes wrong with a funeral, this blog explains the steps you can take to seek answers—and why choosing a Funeral Directors Association member can mean the difference between being supported through a formal complaints process or being left with nowhere to turn.
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How funerals help you accept death emotionally, not just intellectually
Why funerals help your heart catch up with what your mind already knows—turning shock and disbelief into shared goodbye, meaning, and the first real steps of healing.
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Grief during the holiday season
If you’re finding it difficult, you’re not alone. Grief doesn’t follow a calendar, and there’s no ‘right’ way to navigate the season when someone you love has died. I’ve found that what matters is finding ways to move alongside your grief rather than against it.
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Funerals serve the living, so ‘no fuss’ doesn’t help
“I don't want any fuss when I go,” Ewan told his daughter firmly. “Just get rid of me quietly and move on with your lives.” He meant it kindly—a practical man trying to spare his family expense and bother. But when he died six months later, his daughter was distraught. “We've done exactly what Dad wanted,” she said, “but it doesn't feel like enough. We need something to mark his life, to say goodbye properly. Does that make us selfish?”
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Themed funerals - celebrating unique lives
When I talk to families about funeral arrangements, I often hear the same concern: "We want something that truly reflects who they were, but we're not sure what's appropriate." It's a conversation I have regularly, and I understand why families feel uncertain about moving beyond traditional services.
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