A CATHOLIC school has drawn criticism from parents after it emerged that a class of 13-year-old children were told to plan their own funeral as homework.
St Paul’s Catholic School in Leicester came under fire after a concerned mother shared pictures of the task given to Year Eight students by a religious studies teacher.
Pupils were handed a form asking them to make a serious of choices for their funeral including picking a favourite piece of music or hymn to play during the service.
The school kids were also asked to pick out flowers, choose a style coffin and decide whether they would prefer to be buried on cremated, according to The Sun.
They were also asked to list who they would like to attend the service, what kind of clothing they would want to wear and what type of religious service they would like to have.
Concerns over the homework were first raised by parent Gemma Marston, who posted a picture of the task on Facebook.
“Anyone else feel that getting them to plan their own funeral is a bit too much? Or am I being over the top?” she wrote alongside an image of the worksheet.
Others were quick to comment in agreement.
Many fellow parents felt 13-year-old children were too young to be given this type of homework, particularly in the current context of a coronavirus pandemic.
One wrote: “This is disgusting especially seeing as we are in a pandemic and 1,000s are dying.”
Another said: “Especially at a time like this 50,000 people have died, not to mention the children have been stuck in at home.'
A third 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?”
The furore surrounding the homework eventually prompted one teacher, not attached to St Paul’s, to respond to the post.
"I wouldn't do this,” they wrote.
“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.”
According to The Sun, the school has issued an apology to Ms Marston, explaining that the homework was sent out “in error”.
