FM Insights: in conversation with Gary Staker, the new SAIF President

👇Read the full interview below — or watch the 5 min video highlights

On becoming SAIF President

Your 12 months as SAIF President will undoubtedly fly by. What are your core priorities for the year ahead?

GS: I’m looking forward to it with excitement. A key priority is the campaign we are launching on the 1st of May to combat the rise of online-only direct cremation. It’s about educating families that there are many other options. I’ve also always been a strong advocate for education; I want to encourage our members to be proactive and “ahead of the game” before we get further news on regulation later this year.

When your term ends, what do you hope your legacy will be?

GS: SAIF is already in a very strong position because of my predecessors. Success for me would simply be leaving the organisation in an even better place than I found it, ensuring we are all moving forward together.

You’ve gone from starting a small independent firm on a tight budget to working for one of Scotland’s largest groups. How does that broad experience help you represent SAIF’s diverse membership?

GS: It gives me a great understanding of the whole spectrum. I know what it’s like to be the “one-man band” who does everything – arranging, conducting and being on-call – while trying to manage a business. I also understand how larger companies operate, focusing on culture, vision and marketing. Regardless of size, the primary focus for everyone in our membership remains the same: the care of the deceased and the families we serve.

With the rise of direct cremation and incoming regulation, how is SAIF stepping up to protect and benefit independent funeral directors right now?

GS: There is a lot of work happening behind the scenes. SAIF has met with the NAFD to form the joint UK Funeral Director Code, which we have put forward to the Government. We want to ensure that when regulation comes, it is appropriate and proportionate. Regarding direct cremation, it’s about educating families on the value of their local independent funeral director. Unlike an online provider you never see, a local director provides a human connection and the peace of mind that comes from knowing your loved one is being cared for in a local mortuary.

What advice would you give to a member thinking about getting more involved with SAIF or joining the Executive Committee?

GS: I’d say you only get out of something what you put into it. Start by attending your local regional meetings, an Education Day or the AGM. If you’re interested, join a sub-committee like membership or standards to gain experience. If you have skills and strengths that can help the profession, we’d love to hear from you.

You’ve chosen Parkinson’s UK as your Presidential charity. Why is this cause so important to you, and what are your fundraising plans?

GS: A few months ago, I was arranging a funeral for a lady whose husband was very poorly with Parkinson’s. Seeing the impact it had on the whole family really struck a chord with me. I want to help recruit more Parkinson’s nurses to support those living at home with very little help. For fundraising, I want to involve the whole membership. We’re launching the “President’s Biggest Coffee Morning” in June or July. I’m encouraging independent funeral directors across the country to host a coffee morning in their local town. It’s a great way to raise money, but it’s also about engagement – showing that independent directors are at the heart of their
communities.

On alkaline hydrolysis

How do you think this technology will change the UK funeral landscape?

GS: The technology is advancing and it will certainly give families another option. It’s in the very early stages here, but it represents a significant shift in how we think about the end-of-life journey.

For those entirely unfamiliar with the process, how exactly does alkaline hydrolysis work?

GS: The deceased is placed in a chamber, wrapped in a shroud of natural fibres. The chamber is filled with a solution of 95 per cent water and 5 per cent alkali and heated to around 150°C. This solution breaks down the body’s tissues over three to four hours. At the end, you are left with a sterile liquid and soft bone remains. The bone is then dried and processed into a fine powder, which looks very similar to traditional cremated remains.

Alkaline hydrolysis is often praised for its environmental benefits. How important is sustainability to families when they walk through your doors?

GS: Families are much more aware of their options now. Since the talk of hydrolysis started, we’ve already had families enquiring about it. We’ve also seen an increase in woodland burials, eco-friendly coffins and even electric hearses. People are definitely starting to question the environmental impact of their choices.

This technology is already successfully used in other countries. What have been the main obstacles to its adoption here in the UK?

GS: It is used in the USA, the Netherlands and Ireland, but it hasn’t passed into law in England yet. Currently, our legal options are limited to burial or cremation. It has to go through Parliament, which takes time, but I do believe it will eventually happen here.

How do you anticipate the costs will compare to traditional burial or cremation?

GS: The initial investment for a firm is substantial – potentially in the region of three-quarters of a million pounds. Because of that, whoever moves first will need to be patient with their investment. You would like to think the fees would eventually be similar to cremation, but in the early stages, it might be slightly higher as the technology establishes itself.

Do you see alkaline hydrolysis eventually replacing existing methods, or simply sitting alongside them?

GS: I don’t think it will replace traditional methods. I think it will simply sit alongside burial and cremation as another meaningful option for families to choose from.