Details
July 24, 2025
4:00PM - 5:00PM EST
Webinar: Dementia and Humanity: Funeral Directors’ Knowledge and Understanding
3-Part Webinar Series: Navigating Grief in Unique and Challenging Losses
Join us for a powerful three-part webinar series, Navigating Grief in Unique and Challenging Losses, exploring the complexities of grief in unique and challenging circumstances. Each session offers valuable insights and practical strategies to support individuals navigating loss in difficult situations.
Participants can register for one, two, or all three sessions. Each webinar requires individual registration and payment.
- Monday, May 12 at 4 PM: Suicide Survivors: Compassion, Understanding, and Hope
- Thursday, June 26 at 4 PM: Memorializing Transgender People: Funeral Professionals for All People
- Thursday, July 24 at 4 PM: Dementia and Humanity: Funeral Directors’ Knowledge and Understanding
Registration:
Registration Coming Soon!
Webinar Reminders:
- Each online participant must register and attend with their own unique email address
- To ensure your attendance is recorded, join the program from the unique link provided in your confirmation email
- Each participant must be on the program for a minimum of 50 minutes to be eligible for CE credit
Price:
- Member: $45.00
- Non-Member Member: $65.00
Continuing Education:
- 1 CE Hour, pending approval with the State of Ohio Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors
Summary:
As dementia diagnoses continue to rise, funeral professionals increasingly encounter families struggling with how to involve a loved one with cognitive impairment in the grieving process. This seminar equips funeral directors with the knowledge and tools to support families facing these challenges with empathy and expertise.
Attendees will gain practical strategies for interacting with individuals with dementia, guiding families on how to communicate a death, and managing emotional responses. Key topics include understanding dementia, assessing the need for support in delivering difficult news, and determining whether a person with dementia should attend a funeral or memorial service.
By developing these essential skills, funeral directors can enhance their role as compassionate resources for families, helping them make informed decisions during a difficult time. This training not only strengthens client trust and satisfaction but also reinforces the funeral home’s reputation for exceptional care, fostering lasting relationships within the community.
Presenters:
Marc Markell, Ph.D., CT
Professor Emeritus/Speaker
Certified in Death and Grief Studies, Certified Thanatologist, Certified Celebrant: Life Tribute Professional
Marc Markell teaches at Worsham College of Mortuary Science and Edgewood College; he is also a professor emeritus at St. Cloud State University in the Department of Special Education. He teaches Death Education for children at Creekside United Church of Christ. Marc earned a PhD in Educational Psychology from the University of Minnesota. He is a certified Thanatologist and certified in Death and Grief Studies. He has presented locally, nationally, and internationally. Marc also earned certifications as a Crematory Operator and a Celebrant. Marc has published three books on grief, as well as book chapters and numerous articles.
