Most funeral practitioners understand that their chosen profession requires them to meet the needs of the general public under the worst possible circumstances. The death industry is a challenging profession because it exists to meet people at the onset of grief while providing a service that offers closure and some sense of comfort.

This course reviews the stages of grief and identifies simple coping mechanisms that clients can use immediately. It explains different types of loss and grief as well as the new normal life, within which grieving families will begin to live. The course reviews cultural considerations and how understanding these distinctions will help funeral professionals better serve an increasingly diverse cultural community. Finally, the course examines compassion fatigue, a condition that can arise when drained funeral professionals believe they simply cannot give any more.

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

• understand the different stages of the grieving process after the death of a loved one
• understand how bereaved individuals will eventually enter into a new “normal life” after loss
• describe various coping mechanisms and best strategies for assisting grieving families
• explain the difference between healthy and unhealthy grieving practices
• recognize differences in grieving practices among diverse cultures
• identify signs of compassion fatigue and what funeral professionals can do to maintain their emotional health

Funeral professionals at all levels of experience