COURSES
A NEW WAY OF LEARNING FOR A CHANGING FUNERAL PROFESSION
Professional funeral service is changing. Expectations from families, employers and the wider public are higher than ever as the sector moves toward working within a regulated environment. Funeral businesses need people who are technically capable, emotionally intelligent, confident in compliance and able to apply professional standards in real situations, not simply recall information for an examination.
NAFD Learning and Development has developed a new, structured learning pathway for funeral service operatives, funeral arrangers, funeral administrators and funeral directors. It supports people at various stages of their career while helping employers build consistent, confident and compliant teams.
The model brings together online learning, work-based reflection, cohort learning, Learning Coach support, continuous proof of learning, case studies, assignments and professional assessment. It is built around the realities of modern funeral service and the standards expected through the UK Funeral Director Code.
FOUNDATION AWARD
FOUNDATION KNOWLEDGE AND REGULATORY AWARENESS
The Foundation Award introduces essential professional practice and regulatory awareness. Completion is a mandatory requirement for funeral service operatives, funeral arrangers, funeral administrators and funeral directors, providing the foundation for further study. If Clusters 1 and 2 are taken as stand-alone learning without intended progression, validity will be for a 12-month period, after which a retake is required.
KEY DETAILS
| Eligibility: | UK funeral service employees |
| Experience: | N/A |
| Prerequisite: | N/A |
| Programme Start: | Any time |
| Duration: | 8 weeks |
| Clusters: | 1 and 2 |
| Commitment: | 2-3 hours per week |
| Fee: | £295.00 |
ASSESSMENT AND SUPPORT
- Online proof of learning throughout the two clusters via NAFD Inspire Learning.
CERTIFICATE IN CARE OF THE DECEASED
FOR THOSE INVOLVED IN IDENTIFICATION, REMOVAL,
CARE AND SAFE RETENTION OF THE DECEASED
This short programme supports funeral service operatives, funeral directors and others involved in identification, removal, care and safe retention of the deceased. It combines professional practice, regulatory compliance and understanding of the UK Funeral Director Code.
KEY DETAILS
| Eligibility: | Employed as a Funeral Service Operative or Assistant within a UK funeral business |
| Experience: | Minimum of 6 months in role** |
| Prerequisite: | Clusters 1 and 2 |
| Programme Start: | February 2027 |
| Duration: | 6 Weeks |
| Cluster: | 1, 2 and 3 |
| Commitment: | 3 hours per week |
| Fee: | £300.00 |
ASSESSMENT AND SUPPORT
- Short report evidencing experience of care for the deceased
- Continuous online proof of learning via NAFD Inspire Learning
- Learning Coach guidance to consolidate Cluster and UK Funeral Director Code knowledge
- Knowledge test and final online real-time assessment.
CERTIFICATE IN FUNERAL
ARRANGING AND ADMINISTRATION
A 12 MONTH PROGRAMME FOR FUNERAL ARRANGERS AND ADMINISTRATORS
This programme develops the knowledge, confidence and practical awareness required to arrange funerals for adults, babies and children. It covers care of the deceased, prearrangement and arrangement practice, documentation, contractual and financial responsibilities, cremation procedures and burial procedures.
KEY DETAILS
| Eligibility: | Employed as a Funeral Arranger or Administrator within a UK funeral business |
| Experience: | Minimum of 6 months in role |
| Prerequisite: | Clusters 1, 2 and 3 |
| Programme Start: | March 2027 |
| Duration: | 12 months |
| Clusters: | 4, 5, 6 and 7 |
| Commitment: | 3-5 hours per week for 10 months, then revision |
| Fee: | £1,695.00 |
ASSESSMENT AND SUPPORT
- Continuous online proof of learning via NAFD Inspire Learning
- Structured support from a Learning Coach
- Assessed observation report, three assignments and two case studies
- Compliance with the UK Funeral Director Code embedded in assessment
- Final Funeral Arranging Oral Assessment managed by NAFD Examiners.
DIPLOMA IN FUNERAL DIRECTING
FOR FUNERAL DIRECTORS MANAGING COMPLEX FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
The Diploma supports funeral directors to manage complex funeral arrangements and deliver services with professionalism, compassion and compliance. It extends learning into specialist knowledge, conducting the funeral and emerging areas of funeral service practice.
KEY DETAILS
| Eligibility: | Employed as a Funeral Director within a UK funeral business |
| Experience: | 18 months minimum within a relevant funeral directing role |
| Prerequisite: | Achievement of the new Cert FAA, or holders of previous NAFD Dip FAA/FAA Certificate with transitional arrangements |
| Programme Start: | September 2028** |
| Registration Period: | 15 months |
| Duration: | 12 months |
| Clusters: | 8, 9 and 10 |
| Commitment: | 3-5 hours per week for 10 months, then revision |
| Fee: | £1590.00 |
ASSESSMENT AND SUPPORT
- Continuous online proof of learning via NAFD Inspire Learning
- Learning Coach support to reinforce knowledge and workplace application
- Assessed research report, three assignments and two case studies
- Final written examination and Professional Discussion managed by NAFD Examiners.
RSPH MORTUARY SUPPORT
WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF PUBLIC HEALTH
In addition to NAFD programmes, the NAFD continues its partnership with the Royal Society of Public Health to bring opportunities for members to register for the Certificate in Mortuary Support for Mortuary Workers. The 9-month programme develops knowledge, confidence and practical awareness for safe work within a mortuary setting.
KEY DETAILS
| Eligibility: | Funeral directors, funeral service operatives or employees with shared responsibilities for care and preparation of the deceased |
| Experience: | N/A |
| Prerequisite: | N/A |
| Programme Start: | October 2026 |
| Duration: | 9 months |
| Clusters: | 3 |
| Commitment: | 3 hours per month for 6 months, then revision |
| Fee: | £1,800 |
ASSESSMENT AND SUPPORT
- Continuous online proof of learning via NAFD Inspire Learning
- Structured support from a Learning Coach
- Assessed observation report, three assignments and two case studies
- Compliance with the UK Funeral Director Code embedded in assessment
- Final Funeral Arranging Oral Assessment managed by NAFD Examiners.
FLEXIBLE LEARNING AND PROGRESSION ROUTES
You can combine your learning and register for Clusters 1, 2 and 3 as a single programme, starting on 14th September 2026, for £595. Alternatively, you can register for the complete Certificate in Funeral Arranging and Administration (CertFAA) pathway, covering Clusters 1-7 and also starting on 14th September 2026, for a total fee of £2,285.
Already hold your CertFAA and ready to progress to the Diploma in Funeral Directing (DipFD)? A transitional pathway will begin in January 2027. Existing CertFAA holders must complete Clusters 2 and 3 (free of charge) before progressing to the Diploma programme. The total fee is £1,590.
All fees include registration and examination fees.
SUPPORT MODEL
LEARNING COACH SUPPORT AND WORKPLACE CONNECTION
LEARNING COACH SUPPORT
NAFD Learning Coaches support learners through consolidation sessions, revision workshops, cohort discussion, assessment preparation and feedback. Their role is to bring learning to life and help learners connect theory to workplace practice.
INSPIRE LEARNING – NAVIGATION AND USE
A short online video introduction will be available on NAFD Inspire Learning as part of the induction to each programme and the frequency of access should be weekly throughout the duration of each programme.
CONNECTED TO THE WORKPLACE
Learners are expected to identify a work-based mentor within their funeral business. Employers are expected to support access to relevant workplace evidence and provide opportunities for learners to meet learning objectives.
FOCUSSED ON COMPLIANCE AND PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
The UK Funeral Director Code runs through the learning pathway. Wider compliance expectations include business governance, culture and practice, the CMA Funeral Markets Order, premises, security, documentation, care procedures and client communication.
ASSESSMENT THAT CHECKS REAL UNDERSTANDING
The model uses continuous proof of learning and final assessment methods appropriate to the content of study, including online proof of learning, real-time assessment, case studies, assignments, oral examination, research projects and professional discussion.