Funeral Director and bereavement education campaigner John Adams, will deliver two keynote speeches at the Australian Funeral Directors Association (AFDA) National Convention, which will take place in Vietnam this March.
Recognised for his groundbreaking work in bereavement awareness and leadership, John’s invitation to the event underscores the global impact of his initiatives.
John, a past National President of the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) and Funeral Advisor to Child Bereavement UK, will present two compelling talks: “Breaking the Silence” and “Leadership Through Change.”
In “Breaking the Silence” John will explore his campaign to incorporate bereavement awareness into the education system, sharing insights on how this initiative has the potential to transform societal attitudes toward grief and loss.
His second “Leadership Through Change” will delve into the evolving funeral profession and the strategies required to adapt to shifting societal expectations while maintaining the balance between service and business.
Speaking about his involvement, John expressed his enthusiasm for the event: “I am really excited to join the AFDA conference as a speaker and thrilled to be approached by their CEO, Dale Gilson, to join them.
“They are very interested in the work that has been carried out with the campaign and how they could implement a similar strategy. To now, see the campaign and message go across the world is really positive and exciting. I think this is how true healing happens within societies, and it now appears not just in the UK.”
John’s dedication to fostering open conversations about death, dying and bereavement has gained significant traction in recent years.
His campaign to include bereavement education in the UK’s national curriculum, supported by a widely signed petition and recent parliamentary debate, has inspired international attention. The AFDA’s decision to invite him as a speaker reflects their commitment to exploring innovative approaches in addressing grief and societal healing.
The AFDA National Convention is a flagship event, bringing together funeral professionals from across Australia and beyond to discuss challenges, share ideas and pave the way for the future of the industry.
For more on John’s campaign and his participation in the AFDA Convention, follow his ongoing efforts through his podcast, “Death: A Changing Industry” where he will be interviewing the AFDA President, Kelly Scott, whilst in Vietnam.
