A GUISELEY-BASED funeral directors is running what it believes to be a 'world first' study about the grieving process.

Full Circle Funerals* says the national research will try to establish how important funerals are to people coming to terms with the loss of a loved one.

The study will involve talking to those who have suffered a bereavement and is open to anyone aged over 18 who has arranged or attended the funeral of a close relative or friend in the UK.

The research is being carried out by the company with support from an advisory committee that includes representatives from Leeds Beckett University, The Institute of Cemetery & Crematorium Management, The Good Funeral Guide and The National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors.

Funeral Director Sarah Jones from Full Circle Funerals, who has a background in medicine, says the results could reveal what long-term impact funerals have on people's mental health.

She said: "There is a startling lack of research into what constitutes a 'good funeral' from the perspective of those who have been bereaved.

"This study aims to find out what people think is important when they are attending and organising a funeral, as well as looking at how it helped their grieving process, further down the line.

"A funeral is a major event and it is vital that people get the best possible support at such a difficult time.

"Although evidence-based practice is used in many other industries such as healthcare and education, it’s practically non-existent in the funeral industry and hopefully this study will help to change this.

"We’re delighted to have the support of so many leading academics and industry bodies and now need as many people as possible to share their personal experiences.

"Anyone can participate as long as they’re over the age of 18 and have recently attended a funeral in the UK."

Participants in the study will be interviewed either over the phone or in person, which should take about one hour.

Anyone interested in taking part should call Sarah on (01943) 262626 or send an e-mail to: sarah@fullcirclefunerals.co.uk for more details - or visit www.fullcirclefunerals.co.uk .

*The company covers an area that includes Guiseley, Harrogate, Skipton, Leeds and Bradford.