Parents slam school after 13-year-old children were told to plan their own FUNERAL as homework – including choosing flowers and a coffin
- St Paul’s Catholic School in Leicester asked children to plan their own funerals
- Year Eight pupils were given the religious studies homework during lockdown
- They had to pick out music and decide if they would be buried or cremated
- Mother Gemma Marston posted the assignment online saying it was ‘too much’
Parents were furious after their 13-year-old children were told to plan their own funeral for their homework, including picking out flowers and a coffin.
The religious studies homework was given to Year Eight students St Paul’s Catholic School in Leicester during lockdown.
The pupils were given a form where they had to make choices for their funeral and give reasons why, including picking their favourite music or hymn and choosing flowers for a memorial.
St Paul’s Catholic School in Leicester gave Year Eight students religious studies homework where they had to plan their own funeral, including picking out a coffin
They also had to decide whether they would be buried or cremated and pick their own coffin, The Sun reported.
The assignment asked: ‘Where would you like your body to be buried? Your ashes scattered?’
Other questions asked the children who they would invite and what kind of clothing would they want guests to wear.
Concerned mother Gemma Marston posted a picture of the homework on Facebook and said: ‘Anyone else feel that getting them to plan their own funeral is a bit too much? Or am I being over the top?’
Parents responded to Gemma saying they would be ‘livid’ if their child received this assignment.
One person said: ‘Yes kids needs to start understanding death but at least discuss this with the parents first! And homework? Does that imply a lesson was as taught on this?’
Concerned mother Gemma Marston shared the assignment (pictured) on Facebook, asking others if they felt the homework was ‘a bit too much’
Other parents felt 13-year-olds were too young to be given this type of assignment, particularly during the coronavirus pandemic, when many families have had loved ones die.
Tabby Mcgailey said: ‘This is disgusting especially seeing as we are in a pandemic and 1,000s are dying.’
One Facebook user said: ‘Especially at a time like this 50,000 people have died, not to mention the children have been stuck in at home.’
A teacher also responded to the post, saying: ‘I wouldn’t do this. Some children can be very susceptible to ideas about death and funerals.
‘You don’t always know if one of your pupils has had a recent loss and this sort of thing can be very triggering for pupils.’
The school have since contacted Ms Marston and apologised, saying that the homework had been sent out ‘in error’.