I guess I’ve reached that age in life when I have to attend a number of funerals.  All my older relatives are, well, old, and over the next few years I’m likely to see the funeral profession in action a number of times. Uncle Bert went on Christmas Eve. He was a lovely man, with a twinkle in his eye and a mischievous grin. At 89 his time had probably come and although its always very sad for the family, it was a chance to celebrate an incredibly full and active life. My cousin handled all the arrangements but asked my advice about a few things, and of course I said, “Make sure the funeral director is a member of the NAFD.” It turned out that they are, and more that that, the owner is heavily involved in NAFD work. So thank you Alison for handling the whole thing with professionalism and respect. Thanks also to the bearers and to Leroy who controlled everything so smoothly.

We buried Bert in the family plot where my Dad has rested for the last 40 years. I’d totally forgotten who we used but spent last evening rifling through old papers to find out. Yes, they were NAFD members too.

Alan Slater and David Hyde must be commended for taking the green initiative from NFE 2009 to the next level. It proves that the NAFD are keen to lead the way and demonstrate their commitment to promoting sustainable products from throughout the industry, and it’s clear that the show organiser is living up to his own personal values. I’m sure that at NFE 2011 many exhibitors will want to participate in this major initiative for buyers.

Martin Smith - Environmental Consultant

www.consultmartin.co.uk

Mirella Sartori, NFE European agent and David Hyde getting ready for the show at Funeraire

I’ve already mentioned our recent trip to Funeraire to promote the NFE, and someone just sent me this picture as we struggled to get our posters straight on the wall. Why we bothered to dress the stand, I’m really not sure, because we were stuck in the worst position in the exhibition opposite a blank wall. Did I mention that before? Probably, but I’m still angry about it, especially as a reply from Reed Expositions, who run the show did nothing to make me feel better about it.

We did make some good contacts and the trip was still worthwhile but I wonder how much more we could have done with a better stand position. There was another show, that shall be nameless, who didn’t bother to turn up for much of the exhibition, preferring, and this is only a guess, to enjoy the delights of Paris rather than work.

To rub salt into the wounds, the organisers started to strip some of their own show display a full two hours before the close on the last day.

Organisers have a responsibility to exhibitors who pay good money to be there and the rules of the NFE would never allow a similar situation to occur, or if it did, we’d climb over hot coals to try and resolve the situation.

I’m certainly not trying to deter anyone from exhibiting at Funeraire. It is one of the most important exhibitions in the funeral calendar and for the most part, it was a good show, but the organisers just don’t seem to want to be part of the international friendship that exists between our other exhibition and event colleagues. We’ve tried to link with them, we’ve even offered them space at our show, but all to no avail. Oh well c’est la vie, as they say…

NFE 2009 saw the start of a green initiative when we introduced a stand dedicated to sustainable products, but this will be drastically expanded at the next show with examples of green products from throughout the industry. This of course doesn’t just mean a coffin made from sustainable trees, or woodland burials. It will include any products that actively assist in protecting our environment. This feature stand will be themed and will guide visitors to exhibitors throughout the show who are presenting products and services that are help save our world. We will give you more information as we move closer to the show, but exhibitors who want to participate can contact David Hyde for further details. There will be a charge to help produce the feature but it will encourage many environmentally aware buyers to visit your stand.

Alan Slater CEO of the NAFD says “We cant afford to ignore the importance of sustainability in the funeral sector and this is a major initiative on behalf of the association to promote green products.”

David Hyde, organiser of the show says “Its easy to pay lip service to the green initiative, but the NFE is doing much more than that. We are already on the BS8901 Register which has been created to allow the events industry to identify companies and organisations who are working towards sustainability. BS8901 is the British Standard for sustainable event management. At the 2011 show we will be encouraging all exhibitors to build stands with the environment firmly at the forefront. Low energy lighting is one way that can substantially reduce the amount of current consumed as well as keeping the stand a lot cooler. We have already moved over to an on-line exhibitor manual and many visitors now register on-line. It’s a step by step process but our green policy has already made significant energy savings.”

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These news pages can now be viewed in a much simpler form for mobile users. We have launched a new domain name for this service so you can access it a lot quicker on your mobile  - www.nfenews.co.uk although the existing address will work just as well.

I’m not vindictive, even though I’m a longbow archer, I wasnt at Agincourt. I like the French, I like their style, and I love the red wine. I even try and use their language when I’m there, admittedly not very well. But Reed Expositions who run Funeraire dont seem to like me too much. Our promotion stand there last week was opposite a solid wall put up by another exhibitor and no amount of remonstrating with the organisers would make them move it. Maybe they see us as competition, which is strange because we work closely with all the major funeral exhibitions around the world.

More about the show later, now I’ve got that off my chest. I’m just off to fletch some more arrows.

TanExpo, the Italian funeral show comes round again next March, and the NFE in association with the NAFD is arranging a British Group stand. we already have a lot of interest, and any British company who wants to start exporting to Italy and Europe is welcome to join us. We are setting an all-in cost, with interpreter facilities so if you cant even say “CIAO” you’ll be well looked after. The group is being coordinated by Mirella Sartori, our European Agent. Email her for more details. For information on TanExpo, being held in Bologna, click here

If you are a funeral director, you might want to visit the show. Alongside the group, we are arranging a special weekend including hotel accommodation and various trips for both business and pleasure, including, hopefully, a funeral home and cemetery, a wine tasting and a genuine Italian Bolognese!

We are very pleased to announce that Batesville are back for the 2011 exhibition. Sean Smith, who is the head of operations in the U.K. says “I’m delighted that we are returning for the 2011 show. We’ve been very busy working on our new website but we are making plans for a spectacular display at the front of hall 1. We’ve got lots of new ideas for presentation and will be keeping you informed over the next 18 months.”