Home Vision, Mission and Objectives

Vision, Mission and Objectives

Our Vision

  • To promote independence of funeral and related trade associations, who can network with government structures on the industry regulation, giving the providers opportunity of focusing on their individual strategic initiatives, thereby protecting the industry role-players and consumers;
  • To create and enhance greater awareness and involvement of members in the provision of efficient, non-racist, and transformed funeral and associated services;
  • To assume the role of an effective voice for the needs, aspirations and views of members;
  • To promote and maintain working relationships with the organizations and interest groups that pursue objectives that are similar to those of FIRA;
  • To identify and influence organizations that pursue objectives that are dissimilar to those of FIRA;
  • To uphold and enhance the highest professional-cum-ethical standards and principles in the funeral and related services industry sector;
  • To be an effective vehicle for the exchange of information, views and experiences on funeral and related services practices;
  • To develop and implement programs for monitoring organization performance in order to ensure the advancement of the members of FIRA;
  • To build an efficient, effective and adequately resourced organization;
  • To strive towards an environment where FIRA has its own intellectual property in a form of products and services with a clear offering in terms of customer value proposition;
  • To recruit and unite South African registered and licensed funeral and financial services companies rendering funeral services or selling insurance products to the general public into one single association in order to share their economic and social welfare;
  • To protect members, to advance their prospects, and to serve their individual and collective interests;
  • To foster unity and co-operation amongst all members within the scope of the association and other related industries;
  • To establish relationships with Government, employers, faith based groups, financial services, industry associations, labour organizations, NGO’s, key decision makers, traditional leadership and business operating within the value chain for the sole benefit of members of the association and the funeral and financial services industry in general;
  • To strive to realize consumer has got the right to be protected against gross exploitation by illegal and unlicensed service providers;
  • To realize the understanding amongst all consumers that there is a desperate need for affordable and quality funeral services;
  • To encourage the development of funeral parlors to reach the accreditation standards of the association;
  • To advance the need of rendering appropriate funeral services for all South African citizens and creating the awareness of Government and other authorities to urgently attend to funeral industry discrepancies without encouraging or allowing any exploitation;
  • To advise Government and any authority of any transgression related to our environment, health, home affairs, labour and treasury of any potential risks and threats that occur;
  • To investigate complaints and report irregularities to the necessary authorities; and
  • To advance and give inputs to the necessary authorities and role players regarding the funeral and financial services industry in general, including but not only limited to funeral and financial related issues.

Our Mission

FIRA (Funeral Industry Reformed Association of South Africa) is committed to establishing a strong, unified, and independent professional association for all South Africans within the funeral industry. As a non-partisan voluntary association, we advocate for fairness, equity, and justice in every aspect of our profession.

Membership Benefits

  • Advocacy

    • Fight for fair and equitable access to funeral professions.
    • Support the sustainability of professional enterprises and practices.

  • Legal Support

    Provide legal assistance and advocacy against regulatory bodies.

  • Networking

    • Facilitate engagement and collaboration among professionals.
    • Address industry challenges and develop solutions within the funeral value chain.

  • Equitable Service Distribution

    • Champion the fair distribution of professional services in both private and public sectors.
    • Ensure services are accessible to all, irrespective of socioeconomic status, race, gender, or other characteristics.

Our Objectives

  • Access to Services

    Implement initiatives to reduce barriers and enhance accessibility to professional services.

  • Equal Opportunity

    Promote diversity and inclusion within the funeral industry.

  • Regulation and Oversight

    Advocate for transparent regulations to prevent monopolies and ensure ethical conduct.

  • Education and Training

    Support affordable and accessible education and training opportunities.

  • Affordability

    Explore ways to make funeral services more affordable through various means.

  • Advocacy and Awareness

    Raise public awareness about the importance of equitable distribution of professional services.

  • Policy Reform

    Engage in policy advocacy to influence fair and equitable regulations.

  • Data and Research

    Support research to understand disparities and inform policy solutions.

  • Collaboration

    Work with public and private sectors, as well as civil society, to achieve common goals.

  • Legal and Judicial Advocacy

    Pursue legal actions to ensure fair treatment and uphold rights.

  • Partnerships

    We aim to partner with industry leaders both nationally and internationally to enhance equity and achievement for all our members.