It is great to get an update about the progress of Funeral Director John Adams’ Campaign to include bereavement education in the national curriculum, which is set for parliamentary debate on Monday 2nd December 2024.
John Adams, Past President of the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) and Funeral Industry Advisor to Child Bereavement UK, has achieved a significant breakthrough in his campaign to include bereavement education in the national curriculum. The UK Parliament’s Petitions Committee has re-selected his petition for a future debate after it was initially postponed due to the general election.
Originally scheduled for June 17th, the debate’s delay brought uncertainty, but the committee’s renewed support has confirmed that this important conversation will move forward and is now scheduled for debate on Monday 2nd December 2024. The petition, ‘to add content on death, dying and bereavement into the national curriculum’, which received 11,322 signatures and closed on April 10th 2023, is now seen as carrying the weight of a petition with over 100,000 signatures with the debate again confirmed, underscoring the vital importance of the cause.
Reflecting on this new milestone, Adams shared, “It is a huge relief to see the new Petitions Committee again recognising the importance of the petition. Achieving this goal has required a clear focus and high level of resilience, along with the support and dedication of different groups, associations, educators, and others who believe in the need for this national and cultural change.”
Adams has also utilised his podcast, Death: A Changing Industry, as a platform to open up conversations around bereavement and grief emphasising why this topic needs greater attention in society. Through the podcast, Adams has brought together voices and insights that highlight the need for society to gain the tools to understand and process grief, bringing his campaign one step closer to impacting the national curriculum and society as a whole.
“Every 20 minutes in the UK, a parent dies, leaving behind a child under the age of 18. This statistic doesn’t even include grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, or even pets,” Adams added. “I am fully aware this is a sensitive topic, but it is a topic that will affect us all. When we have awareness and education on the emotions involved when someone we love dies, I strongly believe we will live in a more compassionate, kinder, and understanding society for all.”