For families affected by Florrie’s Army, we’re encouraged to see positive movement from the Government in their persistence to shine a light on the need for funeral sector regulation in England.
As a profession, funeral directors strive to deliver the highest quality of care and compassionate service. We choose this profession because we care. So we’re deeply saddened when we hear stories such as that of Zoe Ward, where families fail to receive the standards of care they deserve.
We want to reaffirm our support of regulation, and to reassure our families – both north and south of the border – that William Purves maintains the highest standards of funeral care.
Regulation in the UK: The Current Landscape
The Scottish Government was the first of the UK nations to formally introduce regulation in the funeral industry on 1st March, 2025.
The passing of this act entails regular inspections of funeral businesses, training, reviews on mortuary safety, and an official Code of Practice for funeral directors.
Funeral directors in the rest of the UK remain self-regulated, with the option of joining a trade association. The two largest are the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) and the National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF).
William Purves has been a proud member of both organisations for many years, undergoing the required inspections and checks, and adhering to a voluntary Funeral Director’s Code to meet the highest professional standards.
Covering the entire spectrum of the funeral business, including care of the deceased, the quality of operational facilities, confidentiality and data protection, the Funeral Director’s Code is a comprehensive guide for how members must conduct themselves.
Regular assessments are carried out to ensure such standards are being upheld, and an independent complaints procedure affords consumers the chance to share negative experiences.
It is for this reason that we recommend, when choosing a funeral director, families look for businesses that are part of the NAFD or SAIF. Membership is a demonstration of the funeral director’s commitment to a code of practice, reassuring the consumer as to the quality of service.
Our promise
At William Purves, we promise to deliver the highest levels of compassion, respect, dedication, and integrity.
Having long been a member of both the NAFD and SAIF, with past and current Directors taking leading positions, we have been at the forefront of establishing and implementing the highest standards for the funeral industry.
Approaching funeral care with the seriousness and compassion it deserves, all our staff – regardless of how long they have served – are required to undergo rigorous training to achieve the required industry qualification. By placing all staff on this pathway, we seek to ensure our funeral directors provide the gold standard in funeral service.
In light of recent reports, we are here to reassure you that William Purves continues to follow the Funeral Director’s Code across all our branches in the UK to offer our clients the support and protection they need at the most challenging times.
Where necessary, we will always review our practices to ensure they align with the latest regulations and highest standards. It is our sincere hope that no family will have to experience any less than the highest level of care.
If you are looking for a funeral director committed to meeting the highest of standards, please get in touch with us.