BROWSE OUR BROCHURE
210
CERTIFICATES PRESENTED IN 2024
6
BESPOKE COURSES
30
YEARS OF EXCELLENCE
1145
STUDENTS
WHY CHOOSE IFD COLLEGE
- Inclusive training for Funeral Directors / Arrangers / Conductors, Admin Staff and Funeral Operatives / Drivers / Bearers and Mortuary Staff
- Work based, vocational training and assessing through evidenced portfolios
- Courses available by online meeting sessions or face to face
- Flexibility to accommodate studies with student’s work life balance
- You do not sit exams
THE PROCESS
We can help you every step of the way!
THE PATHWAY
All our courses are designed to progress from Foundation to Diploma level with each course earning a certificate.
This modular approach involves manageable segments starting with two Health and Safety Course units (Levels 1 & 2) and two Funeral Foundation Course units (Level 1).
Following these, students complete six Arranging and Administration Course units to achieve their Certificate in Funeral Arranging and Administration qualification and can use Cert FAA post-nominals. (Levels 2 & 3)
Alternatively, completion of the four Funeral Operatives Skills Course units will achieve the Certificate in Funerals Operatives Skills with post-nominals Cert OPS. (Levels 2 & 3)
After finishing all four courses, students receive the IFD College Certificate in Funeral Practice qualification and can use Cert. FP post-nominals.
Note: Two units from Operatives Skills course or four from the Arranging and Administration course may be omitted and the Cert FP still awarded.
After this level, students may undertake four Diploma Modules (Level 4) to obtain the Award in Funeral Directing and the post-nominals Dip.FD.
If you have previously completed courses or qualifications with another training organisation these can be considered as accredited prior learning to avoid duplication, unnecessary work and expense in achieving a Diploma.
Please contact Sharon for further details.
The company’s positive experience of the excellent, extensive, educational training courses provided and delivered by the IFD College is evident by the invested interest for professional qualified staff. The extensive range of educational training courses available, delivered by assessors via zoom are presented professionally with structured, informative, engaging meetings and each student has had the encouragement, support and guidance of their assessor towards the time managed completed course work.
The assessment of our student course work has been informative and efficient with exceptional communications.
Ann Adair-Smith
The learning experience of the IFD COLLEGE courses was exceptional as each professional qualification was achieved through individual commitment, focusing on career development in the funeral sector, delivered by professional assessors with industry qualifications and experience. The IFD should stand for Industry Focused Development
Zak Smith
Delivered with excellence……..achieved by commitment
Harry Smith
We have used the IFD college for a number of years now. We have always found the courses to be relevant and supportive of our needs. Our team members that have been through the college all report back on how helpful they have been to their learning in a new role and also how encouraging the course leaders have been.
Helen Wathall MBE
The IFD college have been a leader in funeral education over the past 30 years, leading the way in courses for all areas of the funeral sector from casual staff working on the garage floor all the way to a full diploma in funeral directing. I have personally had first hand experience of the college, putting myself through courses but also putting a number of my staff when they start through the courses, as well as one diploma so far. Education is crucial to the future of our sector, and I am glad to see the IFD college are leading the way and would highly recommend for any people employed in the funeral sector who wish to push their learning.
Ross Hickton
I’ve had several members of staff complete IFD College courses, and the experience has been consistently outstanding. The style of learning is both engaging and practical, allowing my team to apply new skills with confidence from day one. The tutors are knowledgeable, supportive, and genuinely invested in each learner’s progress. IFD College has made a real difference to our professional development, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them.
Gary Staker
I have long been a fan of the IFD College. Why? It provides an approach to education that is applied learning. Education is not just about head knowledge, but transferring to everyday professional skills. This learning style is accredited at various levels which rewards the time and effort of the student. Furthermore, having an educated staff is essential as we become more regulated and this makes the difference for an equipped workforce that excels in serving families. I commend the College to you.
Terry Tennens
When it came to training the next generation of my family business, there was only one option for me. The Independent Funeral Directors College offered the perfect level of balanced and flexible training, which allowed learning in all aspects of funeral directing, in a timeframe which was flexible enough to allow the training to fit around the daily workload of each of the trainees. The fact that training was able to take place on our own premises, together with some distance learning, and having a tutor readily available for support and any questions, made the whole process less daunting and subsequently more enjoyable.
Paul Allcock DipFD
My colleague and I started the IFD college courses back in March 2022 and have had the pleasure of attending the courses ever since. I cannot credit (….trainer…) enough for the fun and interactive approach to the training, not only have I enjoyed the training but learnt a great deal as well. The virtual side has been fantastic, being able to attend the lessons remotely has been a great help and meeting other funeral directors across the country has been thoroughly enjoyable. Working for a busy funeral director’s it has been somewhat difficult to meet the initial deadlines agreed but the team have been incredibly helpful and generous allowing us numerous extensions to enable us to complete the relevant work, their flexibility has meant we are on the verge of submitting our final units. I would have absolutely no apprehension recommending the college, and I am incredibly grateful for the help and guidance I have received on my journey.
Chris Cook
Having trained with the IFD College myself over the years, it has been a pleasure to offer the courses to my team, each having the opportunity to train to a level that befits their role within my company.
There is always a sense of achievement on completion a course and the college empower each individual to feel validated in their individual knowledge.
Two of us are also working toward the latest Diploma qualification, having completed our Certificate in Funeral Practice, the course is much different to any other Diploma based course and has a refreshing approach.
I would recommend the IFD College to anyone who is wanting the best for their team and to show their clients how much they care about their role within the community.
Simon Helliar-Moore
I found the Independent Funeral Directors College a great source of learning, during my Cert FP course I enjoyed meeting with other students and sharing our experiences from varied religious and cultural backgrounds. After the Covid-19 pandemic and the encouragement of remote learning I was quite nervous about starting my Diploma course as I can struggle with learning outside of a focused environment, however my nervousness was unwarranted as the availability of support and encouragement from the tutor team was first class. Any questions were answered promptly and discussions were had via email, phone and teams.
I really enjoyed studying with the IFD and hope more courses become available in the future.
Andrew Milne
The IFD courses have proven beneficial to our team in bringing new starters knowledge quickly in line with industry standards and the rest of the team. The IFD college provides a fantastic service, and the trainers are very supportive and make themselves available when needed, they also work around us to ensure our training needs are met. The benefits to us are that new starters learn quickly, and our existing team can show a recognised qualification for their work.
Craig Knott
My first impression of working with IFD was when colleagues got together regarding our H&S portfolios; for such a dry subject it had a tangible impact on team working and it was possibly the first time we worked together with office and yard staff combined, to share knowledge and compile portfolios of evidence.
Bridget Holley
Bennetts Funeral Directors have been advocates of IFD for some years. We feel training at all levels is incredibly important, it improves efficiency and productivity, it gives confidence to those who may struggle in their learning as there are different ways in which learning can be evidenced. Over time confidence leads to less support being required, and further advancement through training appreciated. Confidence in our roles and competence to carry out tasks is greatly appreciated by our families who ask us to take care of their loved ones.
Jane Bennett

