C Funeral Service Thanatology

Catalog description

Term hours: 72 lecture and 108 laboratory. This course is an introduction to thanatology and basic psychological terminology and theories, with an emphasis on the study of grief, bereavement, and mourning as well as the grief process, normal and abnormal, and the resolution of grief. The content provides the knowledge required of the funeral director to work effectively with families as a facilitating agent. The needs of the families served are studied in relation to the design and implementation of the funeral rite. Follow-up programs initiated by the funeral director are examined in detail as well as community support groups with whom the funeral director participates. Major emphasis is placed on the student identifying problem areas in the field, making a plan for intervention, and making appropriate referrals to community professionals, in addition to the study of concepts, techniques and procedures used by the funeral director in his/her role as a counselor. Field trips may be required not to exceed $50. (CSU)