John Adams, currently a past-President of Great Britain’s National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD), is a change agent in the Death Care space.  His advocacy for an elementary school curriculum that includes a course on “Bereavement” in Great Britain got him time to present the idea in Parliament and impress the members of that institution enough to look into the possiblities.

Adams also produces a periodic podcast titled “Death – A Changing Industry“.  One of the latest episodes featured  Kelly Scott, President of the Australian Funeral Directors Association.  The podcast centered around the power of ritual, connection, and community in and around funerals.

From my point of view, the podcast is a really powerful discussion about why Direct Cremations with No Services (DCNS) can potentially have long-range negative effects on society.

In what many may call a cliche aimed at the success of Great Britain’s Pure Cremation who promote DCNS as the “no fuss alternative to the funeral”, the teaser for the podcast states “Funerals aren’t about fuss – they’re about healing, presence, and human connection.”

You can watch and listen to this episode of “Death – A Changing Industry” via accessing this YouTube connection.

Related Article — Members of Parliament show support for Children’s Bereavement lessons.  BBC News December 3, 2024

Related Article — Bridgnorth funeral director honored by King Charles for services to business.  Shropshire Star November 25, 2022

Funeral Director Daily take:  Funeral Director Daily has readers in all English speaking parts of the world and because of that I watch what is happening in the Death Care space of those areas.  It’s really apparent to me that Death Care practices are somewhat coalescing around certain universal practices in those countries —- and one of those practices is increasingly Direct Cremation with No Services or Ceremony.

It’s also apparent that the Death Care bereavement providers in all of those different locales are concerned that the needs of the survivors are being met by this Death Care option of consumers.

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“A servant’s attitude guided by Christ leads to a significant life”

I awoke early Monday morning to hear of the death of Pope Francis.  Pope Francis, who was 88 years of age at the time of his death, had served in his present position since 2013.

There is no doubt that his death will bring immense publicity to his funeral wishes and the historic traditions of the Roman Catholic Church.  As Death Care professionals it is probably good to understand what is happening and have the ability to relay the importance of the rituals to those who may ask you.

Upon the Pope’s death on Monday about 1.4 billion Roman Catholics, which is about 18% of the world’s population, lost their spiritual leader.  As funeral service professionals there is probably not a better time to be able to relay the emotions of grief and the healing power of ritual to your community friends.

To that end, Funeral Director Daily has linked some articles which might help you understand and inform those that ask:

• The Vatican Grottoes –  Where Popes are traditionally buried.  Webpage from the Basilica de San Pietro

More news from the world of Death Care:

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“A servant’s attitude guided by Christ leads to a significant life”