Department of Social & Policy Sciences, Unit Catalogue 2008/09 |
SP10186 Funeral ritual and ceremony |
| Credits: 5 |
| Level: Certificate |
| Semester: 1 |
| Assessment: CW 100% |
| Requisites: |
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This unit is only available to students on the Foundation Degree in Funeral Services. Aims: This unit will focus on national and local funeral rites. These are often based on traditional practices but are also subject to change. This unit aims to: * Provide students with knowledge and understanding of the main variations in funeral, memorial and final disposal practices in UK societies. * Provide students with explanations for these variations. * Enable students to reflect on changes in funeral rites and ceremonies. * Assist students to understand contemporary debates and changing practices in relation to funeral rites and ceremonies. Learning Outcomes: By the end of the unit students will be able to: * Understand variations and changes to funeral ritual practices in the UK. * Describe the religious and secular ceremonies commonly used in funeral rituals in the UK. * Discuss social and ethnic diversity issues relating to funerals. * Consider the usefulness of theory to funeral practice. * Consider the nature of local funeral rites and identify some of the major social trends that account for their nature. Skills: * To think creatively and analytically; * To evaluate arguments and research; * To apply knowledge of cultural diversity to practice; * To identify theory in relation to practice; * To synthesise information from a number of sources in order to gain a coherent understanding; * To recognise how working with issues around mortality impacts on our sense of self identity and the way we view others. Content: * Introduction to the purpose of funeral rituals and ceremonies (block teaching); * Rites of passage; * The history of funeral rituals in England; * The rise of the funeral professional; * Introduction to the case study assignment; * Viewing practices; * An example of funeral ritual in the UK; * Preparation for presentation of case study; * Presentation and discussion of case study (block teaching). |