n July 2022, the German Burial Culture
Foundation invited funeral professionals
from all over Germany to Berlin. TODTAL
DIGITAL was a one-of-a-kind conference
that brought together funeral directors,
service
contractors
and
researchers
from various areas. Attendees were
greeted with one simple slogan: Digital is
Everywhere.
One year later, we take stock of the situation. What
happened in the aftermath of the conference? Which
questions remain? How are funeral professionals in
Germany gearing up for the (digital) future?
Two Days in Berlin
TODTAL DIGITAL offered a mix of theoretical input
and exchange of experiences. First and foremost,
it was a welcome and necessary opportunity to
meet and connect; to share ideas on an already
wide and still growing array of topics: How has the
process and the perception of grief changed in the
digital age, especially through social media? What
are the basic principles of marketing – and do they
differ for the funeral industry? What are customers
demanding today and tomorrow? To what extent
can we anticipate these demands – and thus take
an active role in developing digital solutions?
RETHINKING TOMORROW
IS DIGITALIZATION RESHAPING
THE GERMAN FUNERAL INDUSTRY?
By Stephan Neuser, General Secretary of the German Federal Association of
Funeral Directors (BDB) and Dr. Simon J. Walter, Cultural Representative of the
German Burial Culture Foundation
TODTAL DIGITAL in Berlin (July 2022)
© Emily Maichle / Stiftung Deutsche Bestattungskultur
16
No. 103 – AUTUMN 2023 | THANOS MAGAZINE
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