Bereavement Matters

There have been some calls recently for lessons about grief to be added to the national curriculum, as a way of helping children learn about how death is a part of life.

This idea has been put forward by the National Association of Funeral Directors, of which we are members, and would involve age-appropriate education as part of the compulsory relationships school work.

The NAFD supports the campaign because, on average, 111 children in the UK lose a parent every day and it feels that they may lack the emotional preparedness they need to deal with the grief. And what better industry than our own, whose professionals can speak about death and bereavement while helping to demystify the funeral business, which can only be a good thing.

I can see the positives but, also, I can see some drawbacks which would need addressing because of some of the taboos which still surround death and the way people react to it.

I am very proud of the work I do and part of that pride is how we go about what can be a difficult and challenging role with professionalism. This often involves dealing with questions from people who are naturally curious about what I might call the practical side of what we do for a living.

I want to be as open as I can, but I am also respectful, and I would be aware that maybe in a classroom of 30 students there might be one who has experienced bereavement and for whom the subject matter will fall too close to home.

There is a delicate line to tread and I’m not sure that we do need to prepare people for every eventuality in life if there is a risk that it will upset others. And, because often it is only when people experience grief first hand that they realise the magnitude of it, maybe it isn’t possible anyway?

These are the questions I’d hope the campaigners address before anything happens and, in the meantime, we’ll continue to ensure that everybody is given all the support they need should they encounter grief, whenever that happens in their lives.

By Anthony Topley Funeral director, Gillotts Funeral Directors, Abbott Street, Heanor

Our Heanor Funeral Home, located just off Ray Street, serves families throughout a wide area.

1a Abbott Street, Heanor DE75 7QD Tel (24 hrs):01773 713921

Our other Funeral Homes: 154 Nottingham Rd, Eastwood NG16 3GG Tel (24 hrs): 01773 713484

Eastwood Selston 133 Nottingham Rd, Selston NG16 6BT Tel (24 hrs): 01773 306909

Kimberley The Old Church, Main St, Kimberley NG16 2LL Tel (24 hrs): 0115 938 6720

Stapleford 136 Derby Rd Stapleford NG9 7AY Tel (24 hrs): 0115 949 1534