Photo: Peleman press service
In Belgium and globally, while there’s a notable digital
acceleration in funeral practices, such as live streaming
and digital memorials, there’s a simultaneous return
to tangible, personal rituals, reflecting a deeper need
for physical connection and personalisation in times
of grief. These changes, while becoming more visible,
particularly in urban areas and amongst younger
generations, are still considered niche compared
to long-standing traditional practices. However,
their presence is growing as societal values evolve.
At Peleman, we understand that even in today’s
digital world, people yearn for something real to
hold onto. We offer personalised keepsakes that
truly capture the essence of a loved one, blending
modern trends with the comforting tradition of
tangible memories. Whether it’s through a heartfelt
storybook or a cherished photo, we bring both heart
and innovation to help families remember and
celebrate their loved ones in their own special way.
In today’s funeral industry, a mix of challenges arises.
Tech-wise, the shift towards digital solutions, like
funeral livestreams, calls for balancing innovation with
personal touch and privacy. Here, Peleman’s products
offer a tangible memory, bridging the gap between
the digital and the heartfelt. Environmentally,
there’s a push towards greener practices. From
a psychological angle, understanding diverse grieving
processes is crucial; Peleman’s products help families
channel emotions and maintain a lasting connection
with their loved ones. The rise of new rituals
emphasises the need for flexibility and personal
choices, and with changing family expectations,
there is a move towards more personalised services,
where Peleman’s customised memory products play
a key role. Navigating these challenges is pivotal for
the industry’s present and future success.
Luc Augustinus
VP International Business Development
PELEMAN, Belgium
Spain is a country in which the provision of funeral
and cemetery services has evolved significantly in
recent years, to adapt to the needs of families and
the evolution of society. One of the most important
changes has been the growth of cremations. In 2017,
38% of the deceased were cremated and in 2022, it
was 55%. This ratio, in some areas such as large cities,
is higher (for example, in Barcelona it is 63%). The
increase in cremation has also led to the creation of
new, in some cases very imaginative, spaces for the
destination of ashes in cemeteries, funeral homes and
other public spaces.
Another relevant change that has occurred in the
funeral sector in Spain is the increase in secular
ceremonies, which are held in funeral home oratories;
in 2022 they represented 15% of the total number of
ceremonies.
The impact on the environment of funeral activity is
an aspect to which companies give more and more
importance, investing in solar panels in the facilities,
electric vehicles, and measures to reduce emissions
from crematoriums or reduction of water consumption.
Digitalization and new technologies are and will be
a key element to interact with families who suffer
a death, in the society of immediacy in which we live.
At the same time, we must be able to ensure that they
are tools to facilitate the personalization of the service
and not lose the essence of funeral rituals, which
facilitate the management of mourning, such as seeing
the deceased, holding a wake, holding a ceremony, and
accompanying the final destination in the cemetery.
This
statistical
data
was
published
in
the
2023 Radiography of the funeral sector prepared
by PANASEF (National Association of Funeral Services
of Spain). If you would like to learn more about the
Spanish funeral market, I cordially invite you to read
this publication.
Josep Ventura
representative of PANASEF for the FIAT-IFTA, Spain
Photo: private archive
12
No. 104 – WINTER 2023 | THANOS MAGAZINE
MAIN TOPIC