Bridgnorth funeral director's campaign to be debated in Parliament after election delay

A campaign by a Shropshire funeral director to have bereavement education taught on the national curriculum has taken a major step forward.

John Adams, of Perry and Philips Funeral Directors in Bridgnorth, began his campaign last year and launched a petition that has garnered more than 10,000 signatories.

The past president of the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) and Funeral Industry Advisor to Child Bereavement UK has been told by the UK Parliament’s Petitions Committee it has re-selected his petition for a future debate after it was initially postponed due to this summer's general election.

The petition, ‘to add content on death, dying and bereavement into the national curriculum', received 11,322 signatures and closed on April 10, 2023.

Reflecting on this new milestone, Mr Adams said: “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.”

He 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, Mr 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,” Mr Adams said.

“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.”