Programme Content
Our flexible learning programme begins with the Funeral Arranging and Care and Management of the Body course modules which are a comprehensive foundation for the role of Funeral Director. This is then expanded upon in our Advanced courses. You can take one or more, spread them over time, and choose the order in which you do them. You will receive a comprehensive manual for each module which you can keep referring back to. When we are together we spend as much time as possible on the really practical aspects of funeral directing, with practice exercises, discussion, group work and short lectures.
Modern Funeral Arranging – how to work with the family to arrange individual and complex funerals (3 days)
Care and Management of the Body – practical ways to look after the body to an exceptional standard from the time of death to the funeral (not including embalming) (2 days)
Staying Ahead of Changing Trends in Funerals – analysing how funerals are continuing to change and how to respond to the opportunities and avoid the pitfalls (1 day)
Grief and Bereavement for Funeral Practitioners – (including children) – modern theories of bereavement and practical ways to help families and children (2 days)
Managing the Funeral Process – how to see a funeral through from initial decisions to completion, all the paperwork and admin, where to source things, complex funerals (2 days)
Starting Your Own Funeral Business – with case studies from 3 people who have set up successful funeral businesses, this course covers your market proposition, equipment and premises, costs and finance, different business models and insights into running your own funeral business (2 days)
The whole course programme takes you through every aspect of the funeral process, looking at best practice for funeral practitioners. We acknowledge that this may differ to some extent according to geographical areas, cultures and religions, but that there will be a core of best practice within them.
MODERN FUNERAL ARRANGING
- The first contact with the bereaved
- Beginning preparations with the family
- Listening and communication skills
- Different circumstances of death
- Helping the family to think about the funeral process
- The funeral arranging interview
- Integrating the arrangements with the type of ceremony
- Choosing a place and style for the ceremony
- Funeral products, coffins, transport, types of disposal etc.
- Basic paperwork
- Funerals for different religions, cultures and the unaffiliated
- Memorialisation
CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF THE BODY
- Caring for the body and mortuary practice
- Bringing the body into care from different places
- Dressing, embalming, cosmetology and presenting for viewing (practical in the mortuary with “Ichabod” dummy)
- Safe handling and health and safety
- Identification systems
- Vigils and visits
- Preparing and bearing the coffin
STAYING AHEAD OF CHANGING TRENDS IN FUNERALS
- Changing trends in funerals – the “babyboomer generation”
- The role, qualities and attitudes of the modern funeral practitioner
- Funeral ceremonies and how they are changing
- Different styles of funeral and the resources needed to deliver them
- Funerals for different circumstances (young people, suicide, sudden death)
- Green funerals and green issues
- Management issues arising from more complex funerals.
MANAGING THE FUNERAL PROCESS
- The procedures when someone dies
- The role of the coroner and associated authorities
- Office procedures and staffing
- Liaising with other departments
- Forms and paperwork in detail
- Flowers, Death Notices, Music
- Making bookings and arrangements
- Liaising with families
- Burial and Cremation regulations
- Paying for the funeral (Social Fund and Bereavement Benefits)
- Pricing and invoicing
- Donation administration
- After the funeral
- Memorials
- Completing the relationship with the family
- Support services
- Repatriation from abroad
GRIEF AND BEREAVEMENT
- A brief history of bereavement theory
- Understanding grief and bereavement in your work and interactions with families
- How family involvement can help with grief
- Working with bereaved children and how to involve them in the funeral process
- What children of different ages understand
- Losing a parent, a sibling, a child
- Children’s funerals
- Complex grief – sudden deaths, murder and suicide
- Resources for families – specialist organisations, counselling, books and videos
- Setting up self-help groups
Please contact us on or if you wish to discuss any aspect of the course.
Download the Best Practice in Modern Funeral Directing brochure
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