Three Worthy Winners
It was a core idea of the conference to put
a spotlight on young entrepreneurs. Various
companies, including many start-ups, participated
in a preliminary competition to present their ideas
and approaches. The winners were invited to
Berlin. First place went to TrostHelden, an online
platform that connects people in grief who
share similar fates and characteristics; runner-
up was Grievy, an app that offers immediate and
long-term individual support for people in grief;
third place went to IDA (Institut für Innovation
und Digitalisierung), who developed a chatbot
specifically geared to the needs of funeral directors.
All three projects caught the attention of the
professional public; and all three have since
established themselves as recognized names
among funeral professionals in Germany.
Facilitating Dialogue
One of the key takeaways from the conference
was the need for interconnection and dialogue on
digital issues. To facilitate this, the German Burial
Culture Foundation consolidated TODTAL DIGITAL
by launching a podcast with the same name. Since
the first episode in October, we have hosted guests
on such topics as grief and remembrance in Virtual
Reality; digital mapping of cemeteries; marketing
and visibility; and digital legacies.
These efforts go along with the BDB’s digital
vision. Over the last five years, the association
has established itself as the frontrunner in
digital
endeavours
concerning
the
funeral
industry in Germany. Vital to this commitment is
www.bestatter.de , the leading German-language
website for all questions revolving around
a funeral, with 150.000 to 400.000 visitors monthly
(May 2023: 200.000). As umbrella association, the
BDB enables all members to share in the success of
www.bestatter.de by highlighting their qualities
and skills to local and regional target audiences.
Digital vs. Personal?
While professional dialogue is essential to
advance our understanding of digital challenges
Stephan Neuser, General Secretary
of the German Federal Association
of Funeral Directors (BDB)
Dr. Simon J. Walter, Cultural
Representative of the German Burial
Culture Foundation
© BDB
© BDB
The rapid development and expansion of
digital possibilities, means and demands
makes it impossible to predict how our
trade might change in the medium run.
This uncertainty is yet another reason
for us to advocate clear and binding
guidelines for education and training
within the funeral industry. In the coming
years, curricula must expand to include
expertise on digital matters. Not just for
people joining the industry, but also in
advanced education for professionals.
One of the key takeaways from
the conference was the need for
interconnection and dialogue on digital
issues. To facilitate this, the German
Burial Culture Foundation consolidated
TODTAL DIGITAL by launching a podcast
with the same name. Since the first
episode in October, we have hosted
guests on such topics as grief and
remembrance in Virtual Reality; digital
mapping of cemeteries; marketing and
visibility; and digital legacies.
THANOS MAGAZINE | No. 103 – AUTUMN 2023
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