The definitive Guide to Funeral Conventions in UK & Ireland
Saying the funeral industry is busy right now, is somewhat of an understatement. Rising demand, new government announcements, changing customer expectations, extra paperwork and social distancing requirements are just some of the challenges we’re all facing. Amid all the noise you would be forgiven if you lost track of when the funeral director conventions are taking place but don’t worry we’ve made the effort to find out exactly what is happening across the UK and Ireland. Here is our round up of the major funeral sector events for 2021 including what is postponed, when the new funeral convention dates are and where they will be taking place.
Please note that in some cases the information is yet to be published. We will endeavour to update the post as and when new information is announced.
Main Events for UK & Ireland
The National Funeral Exhibition
Cycle: Biennial
Dates: 11–13 JUNE 2021 (postponed to Friday 10- 12 June 2022) & 10–12 June 2023
Status: Postponed to 2022
Location: Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, CV8 2LG, UK
Estimated number of exhibitors: 100–500
Estimate number of visitors: 4,500
Exhibitor cost per m2: from £120 for NAFD members (volume discounts available) & from £134 for non-members (volume discounts available)
Website: https://www.nationalfuneralexhibition.co.uk
The largest event in the UK is without doubt the The National Funeral Exhibition which is considered one of the most important funeral industry events in the world. The NFE is held at the National Agricultural and Exhibition Centre (NAEC) in Stoneleigh Park near Coventry & Birmingham, one of the largest and best known facilities of its kind. The conference is organised by the NAFD and has been held since 2007. These days it is much more than a funeral director convention and serves as a biennial gathering of every part of the funeral industry, from casket makers to insurers, from florists to funeral management software
The Funeral Times Trade Show Ireland 2020
Cycle: Every 4 years
Dates: 6–7 OCT 2020
Status: Postponed until further notice
Location: TBC
Estimated number of exhibitors 60–100
Exhibitor cost per m2: from £120 (volume discounts available)
Website: http://www.funeraltimestradeshowireland.com/about.html
Smaller than the NFE, it is nevertheless a must on the funeral convention calendar for any business that has a significant interest in the Irish funeral sector. It is organised by InHouse Publications, who publish Funeral Times, a sectoral magazine for over 10 years as well as providing orders of service and memorial products. The exhibition itself usually attracts between 60 and 100 exhibitors from the industry ranging from embalmers to grave digging equipment and eco-urn providers. Being a smaller gathering makes it ideal for networking with other businesses operating in the Irish market.
Other Events in UK & Ireland
CBCE — Cremation & Burial Communication & Education 2021
Dates: 21–23 June 2021
Status: Confirmed
Location: Hilton at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton, UK
Website: http://cbce.org.uk/
The CBCE is a less commercial event. Held jointly by The Cremation Society of Great Britain and the The Federation of Burial and Cremation Authorities, it is aimed at local authorities but also funeral directors who are seeking a deeper understanding of the services provided at cemeteries and crematoria. In particular, it may be useful for any business that wants to better understand upcoming changes in legislation surrounding death certification or cremation rules. Attending will help you get up to date at the same time as local authorities and allow you time to prepare for any important changes. As with all conferences it is also an opportunity to network with other UK service providers, local officials and even competitors!
The CBCE also participates in Continuous Professional Development, with certificates from the CPD Certification Service awarded to all attendees.
15th International Conference on the Social Context of Death, Dying and Disposal
Dates: 1–4 Sept 2021
Status: Confirmed
Location: Manchester Metropolitan University, UK
Website: N/A
This academic conference is organised by The Association for the Study of Death and Society (ASDS) which promotes the study of death in arts, literature and the humanities.
It will feature speakers from over 30 different countries and attendance might be considered by those wanting to learn more about the future of deathcare, understand what dying means in our modern society and contextualise UK and Irish attitudes in an international context. This year’s theme is ‘Diversity and Decolonisation’ with the full programme being released in spring 2021.
Have you decided which events you will attend? Time to put them in your calendar or wait until the dates and status are confirmed. 2021 promises to be another huge year for the deathcare sector as it continues to advance and evolve and there will no doubt be a lot to discuss and share at all of these upcoming events.
See an event we’ve missed? Send us the info or comment below and we will update our post.
