DIPLOMA IN FUNERAL SERVICE
DIP. FS
LEVEL 4
Modules and chapters
•Public Health and the Funeral Profession
•First Call and moving the Deceased
•Care of the Deceased
• Arranging the Funeral
•Funerals for Children
• Office Procedures
• Funeral Rites
• Conducting the Funeral
• Alternative Funerals
• Registration of a Death in England and Wales
• The work of His Majesty’s Coroner
•The Law and Practice of Cremation
• The Law and Practice of Burial
• Repatriation
• Burial at Sea
• Bequeathal
• Exhumation
• Assistance with Funeral Expenses and Administration of the Estate
• Funeral Procedures and Law in Scotland
• Funeral Procedures and Law in Northern Ireland
Assessment of learning
Assessment consists of formative tutor-marked proof of learning reports, projects, and presentations. Candidates are expected to spend 60 hours of private study using the syllabus and other research tools to prepare for the final examination. One 1,500-word summative report is part of the Diploma Course.
Final examinations
The final written examination consists of a 2-hour written paper comprising of short essay-style questions, and a 1-hour simulated Funeral Arrangement with an Accredited Examiner for which the pass mark is 60%. Examination papers are marked by accredited members of the BIFD examinations board.
How our Diploma course is delivered The Diploma course will follow a five-module syllabus which will be delivered in a blended way with Qualified Tutor-led in-person and/or online classes. This course is designed to be taught over 12 months. We offer classes on Tuesday evenings every other week with additional zoom learning. We also offer 6 full day sessions on a Tuesday, these are pre arranged and depends on numbers of candidates. The Diploma course is intense and contains a lot of chapters and information so candidates need to be aware that learning needs to be continued at home.
ENTRY CRITERIA:
Prerequisites for prospective candidates
• Basic key skills in English, Maths & IT
• GCSE (or equivalent) level is required
- If not achieved, prospective candidates will be signposted to a BKSB assessment for completion.
- Please acquire the level of qualification to enable you to complete the final Assessment and Examination
• Employment with a Funeral Director
• Prospective Diploma candidates who are either in full or part-time employment (a minimum of 20 hours per week) with a Funeral Director are welcome to apply
• Completion of Certificate in Funeral Service
• Prospective Diploma Candidates are required to have successfully achieved the Certificate in Funeral Service (level 3), or equivalent qualification as agreed on by the Education Committee.
Enroll with a BIFD Accredited Tutor and become a Student Member of the BIFD (SMBIFD)
The membership fees are included in your course fees
Resources provided during the course
• Textbooks
• Handouts that are designed to assist with revision and knowledge
• PowerPoints
• Revision cards/flip cards
• 2 knowledgeable tutors who own and run their own business Membership to the British Institute of Funeral Directors
Exam fees are included in our course fees
Costs for the Diploma in Funeral Service The Diploma Course in Funeral Service will start in Spring 2027
the course cost is £3,795.00
Please beware that you can not start the Diploma qualification unless you have completed the certificate course or the equivalent qualification in funeral service training
Qualification
Successful completion of five theory units, associated tutor-marked reports, projects and presentations, summative report, final written and oral examinations will earn the candidate a professional Diploma in Funeral Service Level 4 Successful completion of five theory units, associated tutor-marked reports, projects and presentations, summative report, final written and oral examinations will earn the candidate a professional Diploma in Funeral Service Level 4 Dip.FS
Membership to the British Institute of Funeral Directors
As part of your Diploma course, you will become a student member of the Institute, this lasts for 2 years. Being a member of the British Institute of Funeral Directors requires its members to understand and abide by the Institutes Code of Ethics and the code of practice is listed below.
British Institute of Funeral Directors Code of Ethics
• A Fellow and a member will treat each human body with respect
• A Fellow and a member will pledge a fully confidential relationship to individuals they are required to serve
• A Fellow and a member shall not solicit funeral orders nor employ any person to do so on their behalf, nor shall they offer or give any reward for any recommendations
• A Fellow and a member shall not conduct themselves at any time in a manner likely to prejudice their professional status as a Funeral Director or the reputation of the profession
Tutors for The British Institute of Funeral Directors
The British Institute of Funeral Directors has tutors who teach independently for the Institute, it is a personal choice to who you may like to appoint to start your journey to become a fully qualified funeral director. Clive and Hayley are dedicated tutors and if you need any additional information can be contacted by email or telephone.
About Clive
Clive Pearson started his career in the funeral profession when he was a 14 year old teenager. He started working for a localindependent Funeral Director in a rural village in Huddersfield. Clive progressed to become a fully qualified Funeral Director. He became an embalmer and qualified in 2004. Clive is also a registered tutor with The British Institute of Embalmers.Clive is proud to have become the National president of The British Institute of Funeral Directors in 2016 as well as 2026.Clive has a busy family life & career, running his own business in Marsden, Huddersfield.
About Hayley
Hayley Owen-Barker started her career at The Yorkshire School of Embalming becoming a qualified embalmer in 2011.
She then went on to become a qualified Funeral Director. In 2015 Hayley opened her own business in York and works with a
small team including her husband Dave. She is a tutor for The British Institute of Funeral Directors and believes that education in the funeral profession is important. Hayley has a busy work life and also has a daughter called Hermione