1 CEU Cat 1

Timothy McLoone,Licensed Funeral Director & Certified Celebrant, Joseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home, Pennsylvania

Sara Murphy, PhD, CT, Death Educator and Certified Thanatologist. University of Rhode Island

The relationship between the LGBTQ+ community and the funeral services profession has historically been problematic, often due to stigma, oversight, and lack of education. Queer-identified persons who work within the profession and those who are clients frequently cite experiences of discrimination and exclusion as a result of their identities. This session will demystify queer identities; identify common experiences of exclusion; discuss the funeral profession’s past and present relationship with the LGBTQ+ community; and generate practical strategies to reach and serve more effectively queer-identified clients and staff. The presenters, working within different fields and professions, share a goal of ensuring that LGBTQ+ community members within the profession and those served by the profession are equally supported with inclusivity and protection from discrimination.