Funeral Colleague Support is a Priority for Central Co-op in Dying Matters Week and Beyond

Posted by sam bishop | Published: 09/05/2023

Dying Matters Week is running from the 8th to 14th May this year, and the focus is around death, dying, and grief in the workplace, which is why Central Co-op is using this week to highlight the importance of supporting colleagues in the funeral business. 

The wellbeing of colleagues has always been a priority for Central Co-op, extending to their mental health, and funeral colleagues often deal with some of the most challenging events and situations. This is why the Society works to foster an environment that supports their wellbeing, including the training of colleagues around the principle of growing around grief, to apply to themselves and clients the Society cares for.  

Several colleagues also volunteer as Mental Health Champions across the business to ensure that the needs of colleagues in the funeral business are attended to, advising on how best to manage health in trying environments and situations.  

Central Co-op will continue to look at ways to ensure colleague mental health is a priority in the funeral business, along with training new funeral apprentices this year to introduce into the culture with the model of grief. 

For further details, head to the Central Co-op website, Facebook, and Twitter. Details on becoming a Member can be found on the Membership site. 

About Central Co-op 

Central Co-op is one of the largest independent retail co-operative societies in the UK, with a heritage stretching back over 175 years and interests in food, funeral, floral and property investment.  

Owned by hundreds of thousands of members, its 7,700 colleagues serve customers across 440 plus trading sites in 21 counties in the East and West Midlands, Yorkshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.   

Its purpose is to create a sustainable Society for all.   

It actively campaigns for food justice and works with FareShare Midlands and a network of local food banks. It also adds £1 to every Healthy Start Voucher redeemed in store and supports six schools in partnership with Magic Breakfasts.

The Society embraces inclusivity and equality and is a signed-up member to the Business in the Community (BITC) Race at Work Charter. The Society is also a member of Diversity in Retail and it is fully committed to addressing the impacts of climate change by reducing carbon and food waste, increasing recycling and investment in community Sustainable Spaces funded by the carrier bag levy. It recently launched its Malawi Partnership to support farmers and producers in the country through the Co-operative International Trading Development Fund. 

It invests a percentage of its trading profit into local communities through its Community Dividend Fund scheme which has seen over £109,769.25 shared out between 121 good causes in 2022.

Press office contact: Sam Bishop, PR Specialist  

Contact details:   

sam.bishop@centralengland.coop  

07385 048048