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Funeral Directors from across all four nations of the United Kingdom are set to descend on Tunbridge Wells for three days from Friday 3 March to take part in a major annual event.

The National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF) which is the largest trade association in the UK for Independent Family Funeral Directors, will hold their annual conference, annual general meeting and banquet weekend at the Spa Hotel.

National President Jo Parker, who is also the Managing Director of Abbey Funeral Services in Tonbridge, has spent the last year visiting funeral directors across the UK as well as new crematoria, opening members’ new businesses and branches, taking part in educational conferences and attending affiliate association events.

Jo, whose parents were both previously national presidents of the association, was keen to have her banquet weekend, which ends her presidential year, in her home town of Tunbridge Wells.

“I am very proud that a small family business in Tonbridge has produced three national presidents, a testimony to the regard the business is held in by its peers within the profession,” commented Jo.

As part of Jo’s presidential year, she has also been raising money for her chosen charity ‘Papyrus’, which is dedicated to the prevention of suicide in children and young adults.

She added that this charity is “very close to her heart” having supported far too many families in those tragic circumstances. The charity drive is expected to raise in excess £20,000 by the end of the weekend thanks to the generosity of independent funeral directors across the UK.

Click here to learn more about Abbey Funeral Services in Tonbridge.