In conversation with Lee Snashfold, APSE Associate

Lucia Gervis, APSE Client Coordination Officer, talks to Lee Snashfold, APSE Associate to discuss his career, the evolution of bereavement services, and his work with APSE Solutions.

Before attending the dedication event for the Oakfield Gardens Crematorium, Bedfordshire, I sat down for an insightful conversation with Lee Snashfold, a bereavement industry expert and one of APSE Solutions' long-standing associates. We discussed his career, the industry's evolution, and where he sees the future of bereavement.

Lee began his journey at 16 when he applied for an admin role at Beckenham Crematorium. His career progressed steadily from that entry-level position in 1981 to managing crematoria across London and the Southeast. He founded his own business in 2003, offering consultancy and emergency cover across all bereavement services.

Lee began working with APSE in 2015 and has collaborated on many assignments, including strategic reviews and training for local authorities. Recently, he won the Lifetime Achievement Award at the AGFD Good Funeral Awards 2024.

Speaking about his latest work on the Oakfield Gardens Crematorium, Lee said: "I’m particularly proud of this project because I was part of it from day one. APSE stepped in later to help manage the latter stages, and together, we’ve created something I’m really proud of."

The Oakfield Gardens project exemplifies the positive outcomes of APSE’s involvement. Lee’s work, backed by APSE’s resources and expertise, included everything from recruiting and training staff to liaising with key suppliers like webcasting system providers, IT specialists, furniture providers and cremator manufacturers.

Changes in Bereavement services

Reflecting on his career, Lee noted significant changes in the bereavement sector, particularly in crematorium operations. He recalled how, early in his career, crematoria were far from the pristine, well-regulated environments they are today: "When you walked into a crematorium in those days, you couldn’t even see across the room because of the smoke."

The introduction of health and safety protocols has also been a major shift. Lee remembers when graves were dug manually, with workers entering the grave to shore it up, rather than from the outside. Today, these tasks are far more regulated, with mandatory PPE — another sign of how far the industry has come.

One of the biggest changes Lee has witnessed recently is the growing popularity of direct cremations, where no one attends the service. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when families couldn’t gather for traditional services, many became more comfortable with the idea of virtual funerals or no services at all. Today, around 18% of cremations are direct cremations, which is expected to rise.

The Future of Bereavement Services

When asked about the challenges councils face today, Lee pointed to budget constraints. With tightening budgets, many councils struggle to maintain essential services, including bereavement. One way Lee helps councils is by conducting strategic and operational reviews of bereavement services, offering insight into how they can improve efficiency and increase revenue.

Lee is optimistic about the future of the industry. He believes the ongoing trend toward cremation over burial will continue, with cremation rates in England and Wales now at around 80%. Additionally, he sees opportunities for more councils and crematoria to adopt best practices in areas like health and safety, emissions control, and customer service - all of which he can assist with.

Final Thoughts

Wrapping up the conversation, I asked Lee his final thoughts on APSE Solutions and its value to both councils and associates. “APSE Solutions offers all kinds of help and advice across the board and for many service areas, I always recommend APSE to councils who aren't members.

"For associates, APSE Solutions has excellent communication and offers support throughout projects. They also host associate away days, providing valuable opportunities for associates to meet and network".

To find out what APSE Solutions can do for you, contact Emma Taylor at 0161 772 1810 or [email protected]

Lucia Gervis, Client Coordination Officer