Chapter 4: Diversity and Inclusion in Funeral Service 2 CE Hours
By: Cody Walker Learning objectives
Upon completion of this course, the learner should be able to: Recognize the historical segregation of many cultures in funeral service. Understand the importance of inclusion for all practices. Course overview Professional funeral directors devote themselves to caring for the deceased and for the families left behind to mourn the loss of their loved ones. Death does not occur in isolation to any one group, culture, or race of people. Funeral service professionals are as diverse as the client families served. This course will serve to provide historical accounts of segregation and diversity in funeral service of the United States. The course will further
Understand the importance of cultural traditions in funeral and memorial service practices. Recognize potential conflicting cultural practices and beliefs within families. Develop the ability to respect other beliefs and practices. focus on the importance of respecting the cultural practices and traditions of co-workers, as well as client families served. Several strategies and suggestions are presented to assist in the serving of families with conflict resulting from diversity within the family. The most important lesson presented is the importance of respecting one another, regardless of others’ beliefs or practices.
INTRODUCTION
and in many respects, the death care industry has continued to remain segregated. This course is intended to educate and better equip directors with some sensitivities that should be considered when caring for families and communities of varying diversities. This course will also discuss multicultural families. “… Give me your tired, your poor,
Death is a universal event in the lives of every human being on this earth. Death does not discriminate concerning race, ability, sexual orientation, or gender expression. Just as with death, the grief experienced by loved ones is universal. However, some practices and customs vary among cultures, beliefs, and societies. These practices and traditions are crucial in the healing process of grief recovery. It is likewise vital for funeral service professionals to recognize and honor the importance of customs and practices. Respect for all men and women must begin with the inclusion and acceptance of coworkers, and all members of the communities served. In many areas of the United States,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” Emma Lazarus, 1883
PSYCHOLOGY OF DIVERSITY
Lazarus that preceded this section is prominently displayed on the base of Lady Liberty, the Statue of Liberty located on Ellis Island. The idea of a “melting pot” involves accepting others’ differences if they are (or perceived to be) otherwise devoted to the majority-group values and goals. These differences can be wide-ranging and include a generally hard-working group and responsible citizens(Blaine & Brenchley, 2018). The hard-working groups and responsible citizens are the backbone of the United States of America. This backbone of individual families that funeral service professionals serve in times of loss is in a great time of need. Funeral Service professionals are devoted to the service of others in a time of need. A funeral director, or funeral service practitioner, is defined as being a person that conducts or holding himself/herself out as being engaged in preparing, other than by embalming for the burial or disposition of dead human bodies (Leetz, 2020). Working in the death care industry is not just about caring for the dead; it is about caring for the dead in a respectful and dignified manner. The respect and dignity shown to the deceased are reflected in how funeral service professionals care for the families and loved ones left behind. Nearly any parent will state the importance of others being kind to their children and their families. Almost any child of an elderly parent will express the importance of others being kind to their parents and their families. There is no reason funeral service professionals should practice anything other than kindness and respect to the families he or she serves. The processes of grief are as diverse as the client families served by funeral service professionals worldwide. Likewise,
Many preconceived notions may surface when a person considers the term “diversity,” just as notions arise when considering psychology. Diversity is most generally defined as the presence of differences. In modern society, the term refers to social differences or differences among people(Blaine & Brenchley, 2018). Psychology is an essential aspect of any profession that regularly deals with people. The death care profession is undoubtedly engaged in caring for deceased individuals’ bodies; in caring for human remains. However, caring for decedents’ families is a significant and vital role of any professional funeral director. With a diverse country, as is the United States, the psychology of diversity should be a concern for death care professionals. The preliminary thoughts one may have when discussing any fashion of diversity is likely to be that of race, religion, nationality, and sexual orientation. Each of these areas is included in the diverse makeup of a group or society. Additionally, other society areas should examine diversity, such as weight, age, and other factors that differentiate one from another. The United States is a diverse country, built upon vastly diverse groups from every corner of the globe. The deplorable history of racial injustice in the United States is undeniable, just as is the continuance of injustices today. The injustices of diversity endured by many today are far-reaching and even more remarkable when considering previous generations. Many ethnic groups and individual families migrated to the United States due to the horrific injustices experienced in their native lands. There are, likewise, many families who have chosen to become Americans to seek a better life for themselves, their children, and the generations to come. There has been a long-established pride in America being a melting pot. The poem by Emma
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Book Code: FFL1223
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