Compassionate Care: Funeral Directors’ Guide to Supporting Suicide Survivors
July 18 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm EDT
Join us on July 18, 2024, at 2:00 PM EDT for the next ICCFA Webinar, Compassionate Care: Funeral Directors’ Guide to Supporting Suicide Survivors, with Marc Markell, PhD. 
Funeral directors play an important role in supporting suicide survivors. There are 80% more suicides than homicides in our country. The 32,000 self-inflicted deaths each year leave behind many survivors; those who were closest to the person who died by suicide are vulnerable to substance abuse and self-injury (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Suicide is a major public health concern, much like heart disease and cancer.
This webinar will focus on the definition of suicide, relevant statistics, reasons people die by suicide, and what funeral directors can do to support suicide survivors.
Marc Markell is a professor emeritus at St. Cloud State University in the College of Education and Instructional Design. He currently teaches in Edgewood College’s Master of Thanatology program and at Worsham College of Mortuary Science. Additionally, he teaches death education and wellness programs for various age groups at Mayflower United Church of Christ.
He earned his Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of Minnesota. Marc is a certified Professional Development Specialist, Thanatologist, and parent coach. He holds certifications as an End of Life Doula, Crematory Operator, Funeral Arranger, and Celebrant. Marc has presented widely and has published three books on grief, several book chapters, and numerous articles.