ICCM - Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management

24/08/2026

This coming Saturday, one of our technical officers Oliver Thompson is looking forward to having a stand at South Lincolnshire Crematorium's Open Day Lincolnshire Co-op Funeral Services. Oliver will be on hand to talk to visitors about the wider work we carry out, how we support those who support others, being part of our membership, the accredited training we deliver, and to answer any questions. If you're attending, do go and say hello!

21/08/2026

**More Exhibitors Joining the ICCM Learning Conference 2026**

From horticulture and probate research to specialist mortuary equipment and therapeutic resources for children, the ICCM Learning Conference exhibition continues to bring together an incredibly diverse range of organisations supporting the wider bereavement sector.

We're pleased to introduce another four exhibitors:

The Premium Rose Company supplies high-quality garden roses from leading breeders to the UK horticultural trade. With a focus on excellence, consistency and innovation, the company brings some of the finest rose genetics to professional growers, garden centres and landscapers.

Hoopers provides specialist probate genealogy and next-of-kin tracing services. With more than 100 years of experience in probate-related genealogy, Hoopers works with the legal profession, public sector and beneficiaries to identify and locate next of kin.

LEEC Limited is a Nottingham-based manufacturer providing specialist solutions across sectors including mortuary and morgue installations, pathology, anatomy, life sciences, disaster management and histology.

Beaumont Shaw creates therapeutic stories to help children understand and cope with difficult situations. Its books, including Love Will Never Die: Helping Children Through Bereavement, combine rhyme, child-friendly language, coping techniques, activities and opportunities for children to express their emotions through writing and drawing. The books are used by charities, schools, funeral directors and hospices across the UK.

There's still time to book your place, including single day tickets at www.iccm.uk/conference26

20/08/2026

Earlier this week, ICCM President Barry Ellis attended Wealden Crematorium's Open Day.

Alongside other guests, Barry had the opportunity to go behind the scenes and hear from leading experts across the funeral, bereavement and crematorium sectors.

The day provided an opportunity to share knowledge, challenge misconceptions and encourage open conversations about the services and professionals who support families at some of the most difficult times in their lives.

As always, there was a warm welcome from the team at Wealden Crematorium, who created a valuable and informative day for everyone who attended.

19/08/2026

What do we really know about occupational health risks in crematoriums?

The ICCM Learning Conference & Exhibition 2026 will examine an important area where there is still a significant gap in industry evidence.

On Wednesday, 30th September at 11:30am, Chris Reeves' talk, Occupational Health Risks in Crematorium Operations: Closing the Evidence Gap, will explore emerging concerns around occupational health risks within crematorium operations. This includes exposure to bone dust, airborne contaminants, noise and other workplace hazards.

Drawing on collaborative work between local authorities, this session will highlight the limited industry-specific evidence currently available and outline a proposed research project aimed at improving our understanding of the risks faced by those working in crematorium environments.

Chris will consider how stronger evidence can help the sector develop better-informed approaches to risk management, improve best practice and strengthen protection for the workforce.

With more than 28 years of leadership experience across local government, consultancy, leisure, charity and commercial sectors, Chris is currently Corporate Health & Safety Manager at Herefordshire Council, where he leads strategic health and safety programmes focused on compliance, risk management and continuous improvement.

This session will provide an opportunity to better understand emerging occupational health risks, recognise where the current evidence is lacking, and how collaborative research could help shape the future of health and safety across the cremation sector.

Tickets are still available from £234 for a one-day member ticket here: https://www.iccm.uk/conference26

18/08/2026

It was another successful CTTS assessment for the ICCM at Oak Hill Lawn Cemetery and Crematorium in Welwyn.

ICCM Technical Officer Oliver Thompson visited the team to assess James Gott, who successfully completed his CTTS assessment.

A special thank you also goes to his mentor, Joanne Readings, who has herself earned her ICCM Mentoring Certificate. Mentoring plays such an important role in supporting colleagues as they develop their technical knowledge, practical skills and confidence.

The CTTS provides crematorium professionals with a recognised qualification that demonstrates competence in the technical aspects of cremation. It supports consistent standards, strengthens professional knowledge and gives candidates the opportunity to develop their skills under the guidance of an experienced mentor.

Thank you to everyone at Oak Hill for the friendly welcome, as always, and congratulations to James and Joanne on their achievements.

17/08/2026

ICCM members, we want your views!

As the ICCM continues to develop, it is important that we understand what matters most to you and to the profession we represent.

We have emailed all members with a short survey asking for your views on how the ICCM is currently performing, the challenges you and your organisation are facing, and what you believe we should prioritise in the future.

The survey takes around 10 minutes to complete and all responses are anonymised.

Please check your inbox and take the time to have your say.

Your feedback will help shape the ICCM’s priorities and ensure we continue to provide the support, representation and professional development that our members need.

The survey closes on 11 September 2026.

Thank you to everyone who takes the time to share their views. Your feedback really does matter.

17/08/2026

**Results of the election to the Board of Directors**

We are delighted to confirm that the following candidates have been elected and will take their places on the Board at the ICCM AGM in September:

Deputy President – Alan Sheldon
Director – Martin Birch

On behalf of the Board, I would like to congratulate Alan and Martin on their elections and look forward to welcoming them to the Board.

I would also like to extend our sincere thanks to all of the candidates who stood for election this year. Putting yourself forward for election demonstrates a commitment to the ICCM and its membership, and we are grateful to everyone who was willing to offer their time, experience and skills to help shape the future of the Institute.

Finally, thank you to all ICCM members who took the time to vote. Our elections are an important part of the Institute's democratic governance, and your participation helps shape the leadership and future direction of the ICCM.

Thank you to everyone who took part and played a role in this year's election.

Mathew Crawley
Chief Executive

14/08/2026

Working in cemeteries, crematoria and bereavement services can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also take a personal toll.

We are pleased to invite you - members and colleagues across the bereavement sector - to join our next webinar, hosted by PlotBoxLife.

'Working Around Death: Understanding the Impact of the Work We Do' will take place on Thursday, 27th August 2026 at 3:00pm (BST) for an hour.

ICCM Officers will be joined by Samantha Langford from Gaia Wellbeing to explore how working around death, grief and bereavement can affect those working across our sector.

The webinar will consider the impact of stress, burnout, vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue, as well as practical ways to recognise the early signs and take simple steps to support yourself and your colleagues.

There will also be an opportunity to ask questions and join the discussion with the panel.

The session is part of a wider opportunity to connect with bereavement services colleagues from across the country, share experiences and learn from one another through a dedicated forum covering a broad range of bereavement-related topics.

Register to attend: https://plotbox.com/uk-webinar-registration-27-08-2026

Join us live on Thursday 27th August for an ICCM Seminar

14/08/2026

More Exhibitors to Meet at the ICCM Learning Conference 2026!

The ICCM Learning Conference & Exhibition brings together organisations offering new ideas, practical solutions and thoughtful ways to support families and bereavement services.

We're pleased to introduce another four exhibitors joining us in 2026:

Treasured Memories creates thoughtfully crafted products designed to help people cherish important moments and preserve memories. Their collections offer families meaningful keepsakes to remember the people and moments that matter most.

OneRoom provides a fully automated webcasting system that records and streams services live. Through a simple email invitation, family and friends can access the service wherever they are, helping more people be part of a farewell.

Natural Transition creates and supplies a UK-developed organic mixture specifically designed to help human and pet remains decompose rapidly and naturally, providing an alternative approach to natural disposition.

Scattering Ashes provides independent advice, ideas and information about what families can do with cremated remains, helping people find meaningful ways to celebrate and remember a life.

From keepsakes and technology to natural disposition and advice for families, there's plenty to discover across the ICCM Learning Conference & Exhibition.

There's still time to book your place and meet our exhibitors in person. Book your tickets at www.iccm.uk/conference26

13/08/2026

Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances the Midlands Branch Meeting that was due to take place on Tuesday, 18th August at Nene Valley Crematorium has been postponed. As soon as we have a new date available, we will update you.