This week on Dying for a Cuppa®, I'm delighted to welcome back someone who is not only a regular guest, but also a friend of mine and the podcast. John, Past President of the National Association of Funeral Directors, is a passionate advocate for change within the funeral profession and the wider world of death, dying and bereavement. He is also an ambassador and supporter of several organisations, including Child Bereavement UK and The Good Grief Trust. But this conversation is about something particularly important. Something John has been working tirelessly towards for many years, and something that has the potential to make a real difference to generations of children. From September 2026, grief and bereavement will form part of the education children receive in primary and secondary schools in England. This is a huge step forward, and in this episode John talks us through what has changed, why it matters, what this education may look like and how we can all play a part in supporting children to better understand death, grief and bereavement. We also explore how this work is gaining international interest, including in Australia and New Zealand, and why conversations about death shouldn't begin only when someone dies. John is an absolute force for change, and I am incredibly proud to call him my friend. I'm also so grateful that he continues to give his time to share these important conversations with us. If you're a parent, grandparent, teacher, someone working with children, or simply someone who believes we need to do better when it comes to death education, this episode really is one to listen to and share. The idea is this... By end of primary school, pupils will be taught:That change and loss, including bereavement, can provoke a wide range of emotions.That grief is a natural response to bereavement.That everyone grieves differently—and that is okay. By the end of secondary school, students will build on this foundation to explore:How families and relationships evolve over time, including through birth, death, separation, and the formation of new relationships.This inclusion recognises the crucial role schools can play in fostering resilience, emotional literacy, and a compassionate understanding of grief. It is also a direct result of extensive advocacy, heartfelt testimony, and cross-sector collaboration. John also has some wonderful resources available to support this work, including his book Don't Tell the Children, which he is very generously happy to give away. If you'd like a copy or want to find out more about the resources available for schools, please get in touch with either John or myself. You can also listen to John's own podcast, Death, a Changing Industry, where he continues to explore and challenge the way we approach death, funerals and bereavement. This is more than a conversation about education. It's about changing how we support future generations, and recognising that children deserve honest, compassionate and age-appropriate conversations about death and grief. Grab yourself a cuppa and join us. This is an important one. Huge thanks to Match and Dispatch - Outstanding celebrant training for supporting this episode https://matchanddispatch.com/ © 2026 Katie Costello. Dying for a Cuppa® is a registered trademark of Katie Costello. All rights reserved. This podcast and its content, including audio recordings, descriptions, and associated materials, are protected by copyright. No part of this podcast may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission, except for personal, non-commercial use. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect those of any affiliated organisations. This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional, legal, or medical advice.
