pursuing the registration of Hun dynasty burial
monuments as world cultural heritage sites in
partnership with the Institute of Archaeology
and the Chinggis Khan National Museum.
I am also passionate about strengthening the role
of women in the funeral industry. Today, there
is a growing emphasis on inclusive, accessible,
and gender-sensitive governance across all
sectors, including ours. Women bring invaluable
compassion, adaptability, and dedication to this
work, which is essential in a field that serves people
during some of their most vulnerable moments.
I am excited to organize the “International
Conference for Women in the Funeral Industry” in
the near future to support and increase women’s
leadership. I hope this event will highlight women’s
contributions and work toward gender-sensitive
governance within our industry.
In all these initiatives, I am guided by FIAT-IFTA’s
vision for a respectful, sustainable, and inclusive
future for the funeral industry.
Mongolia is a nation with over 2,200 years
of statehood and a rich nomadic culture,
covering an expansive territory of 1,564,116
km².
Following
the
social
and
economic
transformations
of
the
1990s,
Mongolia’s
funeral
industry
transitioned
to
include
private enterprises operating alongside state
institutions. This shift has fostered new services,
technologies, and innovations in the industry.
In Ulaanbaatar, the capital, there are over 20
cemeteries covering more than 800 hectares.
Across the country, approximately 1,000 rural
cemeteries reflect the large geographic spread of
the population. Around 40 licensed funeral service
providers operate in Mongolia, most of which are
based in Ulaanbaatar, although there is significant
potential for expansion into rural areas.
Mongolia’s
funeral
customs
are
diverse,
encompassing burial, cremation, embalming,
and even sky burial practices. These customs
have evolved through Mongolia’s early, medieval,
and modern periods, each leaving unique traces
of burial practices still evident in historical
sites. For example, the tomb of Chinggis Khan’s
son Jochi Khan in Kazakhstan, Gögölön Khan
in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, and Öljeitü Khan
in Zanjan, Iran, are testaments to this cultural
heritage.
Today, burial and cremation are the predominant
practices in Mongolia, with cremation steadily
gaining popularity. In 2023, 9.5% of all deaths
in Mongolia were cremated, rising to 18.8% in
Ulaanbaatar.
In Mongolian culture, death and immortality
are deeply interwoven, with death considered a
transition rather than an ending. Funerals are a
time to honour the deceased and their journey
to the afterlife, guided by beliefs in “good deeds”
and respect for one’s ancestors. A Mongolian
saying reflects this: “Those who honourably
bury their parents will lead a prosperous life.”
This belief underscores that respectfully caring
for the departed brings peace to families and
society. This ethos also connects to the legacy
of Pax Mongolica, a period of unprecedented
peace across Eurasia achieved under the Mongol
Empire.
As Third Vice President,
I am committed to advancing
several key initiatives.
My primary focus includes
supporting the registration
of intangible funeral heritage
with UNESCO World Heritage,
aligning with sustainable
development goals and
strengthening the role
of women in the funeral
industry.
I am excited to organize the
“International Conference
for Women in the Funeral
Industry” in the near future to
support and increase
women’s leadership.
I hope this event will highlight
women’s contributions and
work toward gender-sensitive
governance within our
industry.
18
No. 108 – WINTER 2024 | THANOS MAGAZINE
MEMBERS’ NEWS