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Description
Surveis Funeraris de Barcelona, S.A. (SFB) with more than 50 million € of revenues and 15.000 funerals per year, is a leader in training and quality, earning the ISO 9001:2000 certification in 2002. In addition, SFB continues to play an outstanding role in the introduction of new products in the Spanish funeral market as a way to increase added value. For example, it was the first funeral company in Spain to include Thanatopraxy as a method of conservation. Today, it performs more than 5, 000 thanatopraxy procedures per year. 20 years ago, SFB, in collaboration of the Institut Français de Thanatopraxie, began a yearly course to teach this technique to other Spanish funeral companies. Having trained more than 280 students through this course, SFB has become a reference point in VET and a key contributor to the FUSEMBA project with this education and training experience.
Role
SFB leads the coordination over all educational and training proposals developed by the partners and the University of Barcelona - IL3 and will ensure that the highest higher education and VET standards are met through quality management. In addition, SFB is responsible for all project management and financial reporting to the EC authorities.
Description
The Institute for Continuing Education (IL3) is a Foundation that the University of Barcelona has created to promote lifelong learning. IL3's mission is to become an instrument in service of the community for the provision of education and training excellence in open, as well as corporate programmes, offering a variety of different learning modalities (face-to-face, e-learning, blended learning) for all its programmes.
IL3 integrates two initiatives of the University of Barcelona: Les Heures (centre for face-to-face training) and the University of Barcelona Virtual. Currently, IL3-UB has more than 25,000 students and more than 600 training programmes within its Masters and Postgraduate programs and courses of specialization and extension. These programmes encompass 11 different fields: Business; Health; Pharmacy; Nutrition and Food; Communication, Culture and Society; Technology and Experimental Sciences; Environment and Prevention; Teaching and Education Sciences; Hospitality and Tourism; Sports; Public Administration and Social Economy.
Role
IL3 leads the design and development of the modular-based, customized MBA course in funeral services. Taking advantage of IL3's long experience in customized learning platforms and international on-line standards, it will create the virtual space to enable international cooperation and learning for the students and put forth the pedagogical approach that will provide significant learning opportunities for professionals in the field and make available dynamic and flexible learning materials for use in a range of learning situations
Descripton
The National Association of German Funeral Directors (Bundesverband Deutscher Bestatter = BDB) has been representing the profession of funeral directors since 1948. It incorporates 3,000 funeral parlours via the authorized funeral director's organisations within the individual Federal States. Thus, it represents about 80% of the funeral homes located in the Federal Republic of Germany. The National Association and its 15 Federal State Associations represent the professional, economic and socio-political concerns of the associated funeral homes in regard to legislation and administration at the national, federal and local level. The president of the BDB is Mr. Claus-Dieter Wulff, a funeral director in Hamburg.
Furthermore, the BDB has created institutions fulfilling tasks in different areas. Apart from the monthly released professional journal "Bestattungskultur" (funeral culture), the Professional Publishing House of the German Funeral Trade (Ltd.) publishes specialist literature for the funeral director; is the responsible body of professional training and provides an internet platform with extensive information for the public and - within a closed user group - for undertakers via www.bestatter.de. The German Funeral Precaution Trust Corporation and the Board of German Funeral Culture (Ltd.) offer different concepts for funeral provision. The BEFA Exhibition Corporation (Ltd.) embodies an internationally acknowledged organiser of professional exhibitions and is the host of the biggest funeral trade fair world-wide. Finally, the Humatia - Foundation for Sepulchral Culture fosters scientific work and events of funeral culture.
The BDB renders multiple services to its members. It provides advice in all professional matters, offers information about current occupational issues and supports the exchange of experience for professional practice through workshops, seminars, advanced training and symposia. It fosters the occupational level of proficiency by means of extensive instruction courses which can be completed with an examination at the Chamber of Commerce.
Role
Bundesverband Deutscher Bestatter (BDB) will lead the development of the quality and evaluation of the work in the EC-funded project and contribute its expertise in the development of content for the on-line and face-to-face training.
French Confederation for Funeral Services Professionals (CPFM) (France)
Created in 1937, the French Confederation for Funeral Services Professionals (CPFM) is a nation-wide, federated, non-profit association uniting French funeral companies all over the country. CPFM represents French funeral companies vis-à-vis the competent national bodies and the political representatives; defends the interests of French funeral branches; and provides information to families about its activities. CPFM is a member of many organizations, among these: the French Funeral Ethical Committee, of the European Federation of Funeral Services (EFFS) and the International Federation of Funeral Services (IFTA). CPFM is active in training, providing a training center for skills-building in many different dimensions of funeral service, which include legal and technical aspects (embalming, cremation, and cemeteries), the organization of funerals, psychological and sociological issues, and has also developed a French professional diploma for the key job in this profession: the funeral director. Over the last 3 years, nearly 200 employees have successfully passed this exam and obtained this diploma. In addition, CPFM is responsible for organizing the different annual sessions for this exam at a national level.
Role
CPFM will not only help develop the modules regarding the organization of special areas in funeral services, but it will also help develop the modalities for foreign students to come visit French institutions to carry out practical studies. During the development of the project, CPFM will offer its expertise on content, quality management, business and dissemination so as to help build the prestige of the MBA.
Description
Established in 1965, Italian National Federation of Funeral Services (FeNIOF) is the oldest and largest (non-profit) National Professional Federation in Italy, with more than 1000 members throughout the country. FeNIOF's mission is the representation and defence of Italian funeral directors before the National Authorities and the improvement of funeral services in favour of families. FeNIOF is a founding Member of EFFS European Federation of Funeral Services and is an active member in the FIAT-IFTA International Federation of Funeral Services.
Role
FeNIOF will help develop MBA content and raise awareness amongst stakeholders about the training opportunities and the quality of FUSEMBA's offer. Taking advantage of FUSEMBA's website, it will engage these stakeholders not only to get them involved as future-users of the MBA, but also to showcase key information to relevant decisions-makers and to announce the project's upcoming national and international seminars, roundtables, conferences, and workshops. During the development of the project, FeNIOF will also offer its know-how on quality management to help build the stature of FUSEMBA's unique European-wide MBA.
While outside the EC-funded Consortium, The British Institute of Embalmers joined the MBA initiative and is providing key education and training inputs, both virtual and face-to-face, as well as promotional resources and opportunities for growth in the future.
The EFFS, together with IL3-UB, is responsible for recognizing the MBA. Its European-wide membership will support dissemination, promotion and future exploitation of the EC-funded project and the MBA.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 22 June 2009 )
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The Second Edition of the MBA starts in January 2010. Sign up now! Inscriptions are still open!
Watch FUSEMBA Coordinator Josep Anton Diaz interviewing MBA student Fernando Sanchez in the You Tube video, where they talk about the current FUSEMBA MBA and the promotion for the 2010-2011 course. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTafLg89OCc
ALSO:
A special offer at the UK face-to-face session was presented by one of the world's foremost experts in cosmetic and restoration of bodies, Dr John Chew of the ESCO Company USA, lectured at the Funeral Exhibition, Stoneleigh. FUSEMBA participants at his session received a special diploma.
On April 27, FUSEMBA visited the University of Bath, Centre for Death & Society, with the aim of setting the bases for future cooperation. The Director, Professor Glennys Howarth and the Centre's Manager, Caron Staley, are looking forward to the next steps to see how the MBA can link to what their Centre offers. See their Centre at www.bath.ac.uk/cdas
Please have a look at the story and watch the video on "Where Death Comes Cheap Many families want to cut burial costs. One funeral director stands ready." By Matthew Philips of NEWSWEEK (Magazine issue dated Mar 16, 2009). Go to http://www.newsweek.com/id/188139/page/2
Podcast
Listen to the July 17 Podcast between Robin Heppell, funeral consultant, and Paul Fenton, from the European Commission-funded project FUSEMBA. They talk about the advantages of this unique MBA, the face-to-face sessions in 5 European countries, the on-line methodology and lots, lots more.
Here are the links:
http://funeralfuturist.s3.amazonaws.com/audio/FUSEMBA-Paul-Fenton-Robin-Heppell.mp3
http://funeralfuturist.s3.amazonaws.com/audio/Paul-Fenton-Robin-Heppell-welcome.mp3
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REGISTRATION HAS BEGUN FOR SECOND EDITION
2010 - 2011
MANAGEMENT OF FUNERAL SERVICES
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Open to university graduates and funeral service professionals alike, the MBA in the Management of Funeral Services is an 800-hour European course comprised of 6 modules, blending on-line education and training with face-to-face and practical sessions in 5 countries, including a virtual Business Game. Based on the current 2008-2010 MBA programme, involving professionals from 6 European countries and open world-wide, its content has been developed with the support of the Erasmus Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Union. The six modules include: Strategy and Economics in Funeral Services Firms; Commercial Distribution, Marketing and Communication; Human Resource Management and Management Skills; Specific Characteristics of the Funeral Sector; Business Game; and Dissertation. The unique MBA, open for world-wide audiences, not only includes extensive online teaching, but also uses innovative communication technologies to enhance the education and training experience and help prepare specialists in the field of funeral services to meet the challenges of an evolving European-wide market.
Start: January 15, 2010
End: September 30, 2011
Institutional Recognition
The MBA is sponsored by the University of Barcelona (Spain) and the EFFS.
The MBA is brought to you by leading organisations across Europe in the funeral sector
Enrollment fee is 8000 euros. A limited number of scholarships are available! Fees cover the general costs of the MBA and study materials. Travel and accommodations are not included.
To sign up or ask for more information,
please contact info@fusemba.com
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Read more...
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SHORT STORIES FROM THE FIELD:
In the interest of knowing more about the personal and professional impact that the EC-sponsored MBA and FUSEMBA project is having, we asked the current crop of students (promotion 2008-2010) to answer a few questions. Below are the first set of responses. Stay tuned for more!
MBA Student Jérôme Uguen
Thank you, Jerome, for taking the time to offer your "story". Our first question is "how is the FuSeMBA experience enhancing your personal and professional experience and/or shaping your career goals"?
What has attracted me in this MBA is the possibility to continue my university courses in a modern way with new technologies and to obtain an internationally recognized diploma (the Master of Business and Administration), recognized by the University of Barcelona, supported by the European Federation of Funeral Services.
Why do you think the FuSeMBA is important for the funeral service sector in your area/country/Europe?
The program is enabling us to learn about the latest European management, marketing and communication techniques so we can apply them to the funeral sector. Today it is important to create a European network of young funeral directors, to open to an international outlook on the funeral business and to exchange views on the specific characteristics and specialities in each participating country.
MBA Student Nuno Monteiro
Nuno, how is this FUSEMBA experience enhancing your personal and professional experience and/or shaping your career goals?
I started this experience with great expectations...This is a new European project. Of course, it is changing my personal and professional goals, which are right now focused on the transfer of my new knowledge's to my company in order to improve the current work system.
Why do you think the FUSEMBA MBA is important for the funeral service sector in Portugal?
At this moment, I'm starting to have a totally different point of view about the management of a funeral home. Obviously, this change of mind has opened my eyes to new ideas, and I think is possible to create a standard system in Europe (Funeral Homes and Services).
What specific problems or issues will you be able to address in a better way as a result of taking the FUSEMBA MBA course?
I hope to address in a better way all the themes approached during the course. All aspects are relevant for me, from the Commercial and Marketing side to the Human Resource Management and Management Skills side.
How do you think the people you deal with will benefit from your FUSEMBA education and training experience?
All the knowledge gained will be shared (or at least I will try) with the staff members of my company.
What has been the most exciting/interesting aspect so far about the FUSEMBA MBA programme?
The face to face sessions, because it the only way that we can all get together as a class, as professionals, and also as a group of people that is trying to accomplish the same goal: To know better so we can do better.
MBA Student Joaquin López
Joaquín, why do you think the FUSEMBA MBA is important for the funeral service sector in your area/country/Europe?
I hope and believe that this funeral service MBA will help to standardize this sector, at least at the European level.
How do you think the people you deal with will benefit from your FUSEMBA education and training experience?
I am convinced that thanks to FUSEMBA I will increase my knowledge of the European funeral service sector and become one of the first few fortunate people who are leaders in this scetor in the future.
MBA Student Fernando Yaybek Fervenza
Fernando, why do you think the FUSEMBA MBA is important for you, personally and professionally ?
Since I found out this MBA I've been very interested in participating because I´ve been working as a manager in this sector for 9 years but have not had the chance to receive specific training in funeral service management. This, then, is my opportunity to certify all my experience and knowledge in this business.
Why do you think the FUSEMBA MBA is important for the funeral service sector in your area/country/Europe?
I think it's very important because the funeral service has always traditionally been run as small, family-operated; but nowadays, in a more dynamic and demanding market, this sector needs well-prepared and qualified professionals with a wider business view about management and quality. This MBA, to me, personally, is key to meeting these needs.
Tell us a little about the MBA classes and your experience so far.
Up to now, the themes in the modules and the face-to-face sessions have been very interesting and useful to our daily tasks, but what I really find very exciting is the fact that I can participate with colleagues from other countries and learn their working methods, about other cultures and about the different way of thinking; that´s a " bonus " in this MBA.
Now available! Dictionary for Funeral Services (in 15 languages)
By Rolf Lichtner / Christoph Bläsius (Bearb.)
ISBN: 978-3-936057-16-4
Price is 64,00 Euro per copy
To place your order or get more information, contact fachverlag@bestatter.de
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