International Meetings

European Summer Group Meeting 2023
June 8-11, 2023
Location: Captain's Club Hotel & Spa | Christchurch, UK
For Information: community@fcdouch.co.uk

• Registration (Please use password 'SIFHDOUCH2023')
• Tourist Guide

European Group Contact

Peter Johnson
European Group Secretary
43 Laburnum Grove, Cleadon Village
SR6 7RJ England
Telephone: +447765848803

Past Meeting Minutes & News

European Group Members in the News
A.W. Lymn Funeral Director Up for Top National Award
A.W. Lymn Secures Plans for Cemetery to Be Built near Calverton
From Pastry Chef to Funeral Arranger, A.W. Lymn Recruits the Cream of the Crop
A.W. Lymn Centenary Foundation Donates £10k to Ukrainian Catholic Church
A.W. Lymn Goes Above and Beyond with Drone Services at Funerals
A.W. Lymn Expands In-house Florist Team as Business Blooms
Isabel Walton Crowned Apprentice of the Year
Jeremy Field appointed OBE in New Year's Honours List

European Group Fall Meeting 2021

Congratulations to Nick Douch of Douch Family Funeral Directors in Dorset England who has been elected as the new Selected Independent Funeral Homes European Group Chair during the European Group Meeting on November 6-7. Members gathered at the Great Fosters Hotel outside of London. And during the open forum discussed mandatory standardized price lists for all funeral directors in the UK and the lack of enforcement powers. Other topics included:

• Low carbon emission vehicles, in current use and for the future - electric / hydrogen / hybrid
• Mental health and well-being of employees
• Legal implications of Covid vaccinations
• Continued use of PPE within the industry
• "On-call" policies for telephone duties

Congratulations to John Weir of Selected member, John Weir Funeral Directors in Rainham, Kent, England. We are delighted to share that John has been named the High Sheriff for the County of Kent. The entire ceremony can be viewed on this video. The role of High Sheriff has been in existence for at least 1,000 years. Originally they were Royal officials appointed to enforce the King's interests in a County; in particular to collect taxes and enforce law and order. Today, there are 55 High Sheriffs serving the Countries of England and Wales. The office is an independent, non-political Royal appointment for a single year. Their duties include attendance at royal visits in the County and provide support for Her Majesty’s High Court Judges; supporting the Crown and the judiciary remains a central element of the role.

Pacific Meetings

Pacific Meetings give members in the Pacific region a chance to connect. They also are a valuable opportunity for North American members to attend and learn from professionals in another part of the world — often the new best practice or upcoming trend originates outside the U.S.!

Pacific Group Fall Meeting 2022
November 10-13, 2022
Location: Bunbury Hotel | Bunbury, Western Australia
Your Host: William Barrett and Sons
Rooms are reserved at the Bunbury Hotel.

Deluxe Studio

• $169 per night without breakfast.
• $187 per night with breakfast.

Guests to reference Selected Independent Funeral Homes or SIFH when calling to book.

We would like to hear from members interested in staying for a tour of William Barrett & Sons Busselton Chapel on Sunday, November 13, followed by a wine tour and lunch. For more details and to register, please contact Peter Vincent.

Pacific Group Contact

Peter Vincent
Pacific Group Chairman
Vincent Funeral Services
113 Bass Highway Parklands, Burnie, Tasmania 7320 Australia
Telephone: 011-61-36431-9911

Beth King
Pacific Group Deputy Chair
Kings Funerals
130 Bellarine Highway, Newcomb, Victoria 3219, Australia
Telephone: 011-61-3-5248-3444

NOTE: Pacific Meetings are completely planned and facilitated by the Pacific Group. For questions, please contact the respective meeting host and/or Pacific Group Chairman.