FSE 130 Funeral Service Sociology and Psychology

• Define sociology and its relationship to funeral service practices
• Identify the cultural requirements and diversities of the deceased’s family
• Connect elements associated with social function and culture to their funeral service applications
• Identify the family governing systems found in contemporary society 
• Classify contemporary social factors affecting funeral rites
• Describe changing social factors (traditional vs. non-traditional) which affect funeral rites and families that are served by funeral practitioners
• Identify the role of the deceased in the family structure and the effect of that death on the funeral rite
• Identify how technology affects funeral service sociology
• Recognize the application of general psychology to funeral service
• Describe the values and purposes of the funeral rite for the family and friends
• Recognize the typical grief reactions and responses 
• Describe the theories of grief
• Describe issues relating to children and death
• Explain how grief affects the family
• Differentiate between the types and styles of counseling therapy
• Recognize the major goals of counseling as well as the functions of the counselor
• Utilize basic counseling skills and techniques
• Recognize pre-need, at-need, and post funeral counseling opportunities
• Recognize and understand personal resources for coping with loss and stress 
• Recognize when to make referrals to the appropriate community or professional resources