Funeral directors' degree created

The degree will complement the Masters in Death and Society

Changing attitudes to death have led to the development of the first university degree for funeral directors in the UK.

The foundation course will be offered by the University of Bath's Centre for Death and Society (CDAS).

It is part of a £150,000 deal between the centre and the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD).

CDAS director Dr Glennys Howarth said there had been a "cultural revolution" in the way death was being viewed that was sparking greater academic interest.

'Strengthening understanding'

"Increasingly, funeral directors and funeral homes are at the face of public understanding and expectations around death, funeral rituals and bereavement," she said.

"Working with the National Association of Funeral Directors will strengthen our understanding of these issues and assist us in providing training for practitioners in the sector."

The two-year foundation degree will complement the Masters programme in Death and Society, launched last October.

The MSc is a multi-disciplinary, social science programme for professionals, pre-doctorate students and anyone interested in studying in the field.

Alan Slater, chief executive officer of the NAFD, said: "We are delighted to be working closely with the Centre for Death and Society to foster greater understanding of the funeral director's role and to support initiatives which will promote professional development within the sector."