CCANSW Religious Diversity & Mourning Rituals - September

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Start Date
01 September 2026
End Date
02 September 2026
Start Time
9:00 am each day
End Time
1:00 pm each day
Venue
Online
Contact Name
CCANSW Office
Contact Phone
02 9160 8102
Contact Email
secretary@ccansw.org.au
Max. Attendees
25
Who Can Register?
Anyone

This fascinating workshop is for everyone with any responsibility or interest in delivering culturally appropriate cemetery services. Faith and cultural requirements, acknowledgement and ability to cater for diverse clients are part of the Industry Interment Scheme (IIS) licensing requirements. This course will offer valuable insights in how to provide for this requirement in your service offerings.


With religion a prominent factor among observable bereavement behaviour, service staff require an effective understanding of various needs of their religious communities and prevailing belief systems. 

Presented over 2 x 4-hour sessions from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm each day, this fascinating workshop is of immense value for everyone delivering culturally appropriate cemetery services.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
  • Understand backgrounds of major belief systems and current trends in Australian faith.
  • Appreciate the significance of religion among bereavement service clients.
  • Hear first-hand perspectives on a range of popular beliefs and customs around death, interment, mourning and commemoration.
  • Consider various Christian perspectives (Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy and Protestantism), as well as Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Judaism and Zoroastrianism.
  • Consider also traditional and contemporary indigenous Australian practices, Feng shui and increasingly popular Irreligious perspectives.
  • Increase personal understanding, empathy and confidence in communicating with, and effectively meeting needs and cultural requirements of diverse clients within multicultural settings.
  • Expand and enhance personal and professional capacity to deliver truly effective services for all.

Faith and cultural requirements, acknowledgement and ability to cater for diverse clients are part of the Industry Interment Scheme (IIS) licensing requirements.This course will offer valuable insights in how to provide for this requirement in your service offerings.

Course Delivery:  This is an official CCANSW training course, using the services of a qualified facilitator. The course has been customised for CCANSW requirements, with relevant industry scenarios.

COST

CCANSW Category A Member:  Free for the first 2 registrations from a financial CCANSW Category A member 
CCANSW Member:  $480 per person (for Category B members or additional registrations)
Non Members:         $720 per person

Cancellation & Refunds:  Registration cancellations must be received, via email to the CCANSW Secretariat, prior to course commencement (5 days for face-to-face sessions and 3 days for online sessions) Thereafter, no refunds will apply or loss of the free registration will occur, whichever applies. Substitute delegates will be accepted without penalty.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED
  • Access to a device, laptop or monitor
  • Headphones/earphones
  • Speakers
  • Webcam/camera
  • Wifi/internet access
  • A quiet learning space
THE PRESENTER

Dr Philip Bachelor OAM is a social behaviourist and extensively experienced cemetery administrator. With a background in cultural resource management, social anthropology, psychology and business administration, he is nationally and internationally recognised as a leading bereavement researcher, author and educator.

“I found this information training session fascinating, as well as illuminating.”
“I thoroughly enjoyed the content and learning about the many religions/cultures present in Australia, and their beliefs and practices in terms of death and funerals.”
“Your informative training gave me a broader insight into various beliefs & cultural practices that I had limited knowledge of [though] I have worked in the industry for over 20 years in both private & local government environments.”
“What was impressive was the interactions between trainer and participants – everyone participated evenly. The trainer was always open to new ideas and points of view, and didn’t overrule or talk over anyone.”
“I found the course excellent."