THANOS
LET’S MEET AT FIAT-IFTA
ANNUAL MEETING 2025
IN YOKOHAMA, JAPAN
DISCOVER
THE CZECH REPUBLIC
NEW NATIONAL
FIAT-IFTA MEMBER
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
AND THE FUNERAL SECTOR
109
MAGAZINE
SPRING 2025
The World Organization of Funeral Operatives
Dear FIAT-IFTA Members,
I
hope this message finds you well. I am pleased to
report that all our committees have commenced
their work diligently. We are making great strides,
and I am confident that we will soon provide you with
more detailed reports on their accomplishments.
Your continued support and dedication are greatly
appreciated as we work together to achieve our goals.
This year’s ICD meeting will be held in Yokohama,
Japan, from the second to the fifth of June. Early bird
registration is now open. We are hoping for a good
turnout as Yokohama and Japan have a lot to offer
and are beautiful.
Yokohama is Japan’s second-largest city and
is renowned for its vibrant waterfront, stunning
skyline, and rich cultural heritage. The city boasts
a mix of modern attractions and historical sites,
offering something for everyone. Whether you are
interested in visiting the iconic Yokohama Landmark
Tower, exploring the historic Red Brick Warehouse,
or enjoying the serenity of the Sankeien Garden,
Yokohama promises a memorable experience.
Moreover, Yokohama’s cuisine is a highlight not to
be missed. From fresh seafood to delicious ramen,
the city is a culinary delight. Chinatown is a popular
destination, providing a diverse range of dishes that
reflect the city’s international flair.
With its convenient location near Tokyo and its
blend of tradition and innovation, Yokohama is
an ideal host for this year’s ICD meeting. We look
forward to seeing you there and sharing in the
beauty and excitement that Yokohama has to offer.
One of our goals this year is to increase our
membership in FIAT-IFTA, not only with National
members but also our Active and Associate
members. As the funeral industry continues to
evolve, funeral professionals worldwide are realizing
the benefits of being a member of a global funeral
organization. Our association offers invaluable
support, networking opportunities, and access to
resources that help professionals stay current in an
ever-changing field.
One of the most significant advantages of
membership is the ability to connect with colleagues
from around the world. By collaborating with fellow
professionals, funeral directors, embalmers, and
other industry experts can exchange best practices,
stay informed about international regulations, and
share insights on innovative services. This global
network fosters growth, encourages knowledge-
sharing, and enables businesses to adapt to new
trends and challenges, such as eco-friendly burials
or digital memorials.
In a world where consumer expectations and
funeral practices are constantly changing, joining
a world funeral organization is crucial for those
looking to stay competitive and provide the best
service possible.
We do need our National members and our ICD
Delegates to help in this endeavor. Please, if you
know someone or a firm that you think would benefit
from being a member, encourage them to join.
As we look forward to convening the ICD
Delegates in Yokohama this June, it is with great
anticipation and excitement that we prepare to
renew our friendships and foster new connections.
Our gathering promises not only to strengthen the
bonds we share but also to propel FIAT-IFTA forward
in a positive direction.
William C. Wappner
FIAT-IFTA President
William C. Wappner
FIAT-IFTA President
THANOS MAGAZINE
THANOS magazine, the official magazine of FIAT-IFTA
Editor-in-Chief: Katarzyna Supa, e-mail: fiatifta-magazine@thanos.org
Editorial Office: FIAT-IFTA – The World Organization of Funeral Operatives,
Apolloweg 325, 8239DC, Lelystad – NL
Design & DTP: PRZECINEK.studio
All materials are copyrighted. Reprinting and use of materials require
permission from the FIAT-IFTA Office. Editors reserve the right to shorten texts
and change the titles of submitted materials. FIAT-IFTA Office is not liable
for the content of advertisements and promotional materials.
Feel invited to create the Thanos Magazine together with us and advertise your products and services: fiatifta-magazine@thanos.org
Photo from the private resources of William C. Wappner
PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE
THANOS MAGAZINE | No. 109 – SPRING 2025
A New Level of Professional
Funeral Education in Poland
The first funeral industry school operating in ac-
cordance with national education law has been
established in Poland: “Niepubliczna Placówka
Kształcenia Ustawicznego Polskie Centrum Sz-
kolnictwa Funeralnego” (Non-Public Continuing
Education Institution – Polish Center for Funeral
Education ). This modern, non-public funeral
school is dedicated to anyone seeking to enhance
their knowledge and skills or advance their pro-
fessional qualifications in the funeral industry.
The founder of the school, Adam Ragiel, is
a Mortuary Technician and Thanatopractice
Instructor who has been active in the funeral
industry since 1999. In 2008, he created
Poland’s first independent funeral
school – Polskie Centrum
Szkolnictwa Funeralnego
(the Polish Center for
Funeral Education), which
is an Associate Member of
FIAT-IFTA. Achieving state
accreditation confirms the
high quality of education offered
and compliance with numerous
legal requirements.
The Non-Public Continuing Education Institution
– Polish Center for Funeral Education was
established to address the need for the legal
regulation of funeral courses and training, as well
as to meet the evolving demands of the market and
the growing public awareness surrounding funeral
culture. The school’s mission is to professionalize
funeral services in Poland through comprehensive
training that integrates theoretical knowledge with
practical skills. The institution strives to raise the
standards of work in this unique and responsible
sector while respecting tradition and upholding
professional ethics.
The school offers specialized courses and
training covering a range of topics from funeral
home management, embalming techniques,
autopsy procedures, and thanato-cosmetics
to psychological support for grieving
families as well as practical
workshops conducted by
experienced funeral industry
professionals with many
years of expertise. Certified
educational programs
are tailored to meet the
demands of the funeral
services market. The school
also offers individual career
counselling.
4
No. 109 – SPRING 2025 | THANOS MAGAZINE
MEMBERS’ NEWS
Let’s welcome new members
of FIAT-IFTA
We are happy to welcome 6 new members to our organization! Since November 2024,
we have been joined by 2 National Members and 4 Associate Members. Please welcome:
National Member:
• The Danish Association of Funeral Directors from Denmark
• Udruga Pogrebnika Hrvatske from Croatia
Associate Members:
• Agencia Funeraria JBarroca from Portugal
• Aquaternal Innovations Inc from Bermuda
• Cememo sp. z o.o. from Poland
• Share Data from United Kingdom
If you wish to learn more about each member please visit www.thanos.org .
If you wish to expand your network to enhance the global exposure of your services,
apply for FIAT-IFTA Membership by sending an e-mail at info@thanos.org .
PANASEF Launches
Online Training
for the Funeral Sector
in Spain
The National Association of Funeral Services
(PANASEF) is breaking new ground by introducing
the first-ever 100% online training program for
funeral professionals. This course is designed to
provide a comprehensive overview of the funeral
industry and has been endorsed by HR managers
and training experts from leading funeral service
companies in Spain.
“The aim of this new course is for professionals
who have just joined one of our companies to have
knowledge of what the funeral sector is, how we
work and where we are going. We also believe
that it can be an interesting training for those
workers who want to retrain or have only been
working with us for a short time. In short, I
think it is interesting for all of us who are part
of the funeral sector”, says Josep Ventura,
president of the PANASEF Professionalisation
Commission. This course also supports HR
teams in onboarding new hires effectively,
helping them adapt quickly to their roles.
The course, which lasts 30 hours, is divided
into seven training modules: introduction
to the funeral sector, key concepts and
regulations related to the funeral sector,
family care and grief management, funeral
protocol, secular ceremonies, anatomy,
mortuary aesthetics and cremation.
Learn more
ASV Group Funeral Homes
Earn Excellence Certification
Grupo ASV Servicios Funerarios, FIAT-IFTA
Associated Member, has received the prestigious
Certificate of Excellence from the independent
platform Next Lives for the seventh consecutive
year. This certification is based on user feedback,
evaluating key factors such as the condition of
facilities, human interaction, and service quality.
In 2024, 12 ASV centres , including funeral homes,
crematoriums, and offices, across Alicante,
Valencia, and Andalucía maintained an average
reputation of 4.5 stars (out of a maximum of 5)
based on a total of 49,723 ratings/opinions.
MEMBERS’ NEWS
THANOS MAGAZINE | No. 109 – SPRING 2025
ADVERTISEMENT
Cemeteries for a Sustainable Europe: ASCE’s 2025 Initiative
For centuries, cemeteries have been green oases
within cities, preserving nature and offering spaces
of peace. The Association of Significant Cemeteries
of Europe (ASCE) is using this cultural heritage to
promote sustainability and peace.
Following the success of the 2024 Week of
Discovering European Cemeteries (WDEC), aligning
with the United Nations goal 11 from the 2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development: Make cities
and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient
and sustainable, where 22 ASCE’s members
from seven countries organized over 30 events
focused on sustainability, ASCE is launching the
Cemeteries for a Sustainable Europe initiative
in 2025. This project aligns with Goal 16 of the UN
2030 Agenda (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions)
and aims to collect the stories of 80 individuals who
dedicated their lives to preventing conflict and
building peaceful and inclusive societies.
A key aspect of the initiative is creating physical
spaces of memory, as they function as a catalyst
for the construction of long-term awareness. ASCE
encourages members to plant 80 trees or dedicate
areas in cemeteries as symbols of long-term
peace, complemented by artistic installations and
commemorative plaques.
The best initiatives will be awarded and presented as
best practice examples at the 2025 Annual General
Assembly.
A New Era of Musical Tribute in France
We are delighted to report the signing of a
groundbreaking partnership between the Fédération
Nationale du Funéraire (FNF), the Fédération
Française des Pompes Funèbres (FFPF), the Union
du Pôle Funéraire Public (UPFP), and the Société
des Auteurs, Compositeurs et Éditeurs de Musique
(SACEM). This agreement marks a significant
advancement in the way funeral services incorporate
music into ceremonies.
Through this collaboration, funeral service providers
who are members of the FNF, FFPF, and UPFP will now
be able to offer families the rich and varied musical
repertoire represented by SACEM. The inclusion of
music not only enhances the emotional resonance of
the ceremony but also helps create an atmosphere
of remembrance and tribute that deeply honors the
life of the departed.
This partnership also ensures that authors, composers,
and performers will be fairly compensated for their
work, which is crucial to maintaining the integrity of the
creative industries. At the same time, funeral service
providers will benefit from reduced costs, making this
option more accessible to families while preserving
the ethical and legal standards of copyright.
Funeral professionals interested in learning more
about this new initiative and how to integrate it
into their services are encouraged to reach out to
Fédération Nationale du Funéraire (FNF) for more
details and support.
We are celebrating 60 Years of FENIOF!
This year, FIAT-IFTA proudly celebrates the 60th
anniversary of FENIOF (originated on 18 February
1965), our esteemed National Member for Italy.
For six decades, FENIOF has been a pillar
of support for private Italian Funeral
Directors, continuously working to enhance
professionalism, provide guidance, and
uphold the highest ethical standards in
the funeral sector.
As a signatory of the CCNL (National
Collective Labor Contracts), FENIOF plays
a crucial role as a technical consultant
on key industry matters, including labor,
taxation, training, service quality, and regulations.
Their unwavering commitment ensures that funeral
professionals in Italy receive the support and
recognition they deserve.
At FIAT-IFTA, we are honored to have FENIOF
as a valued member of our global network,
contributing to international collaboration
and the advancement of funeral services
worldwide.
Congratulations to FENIOF on this
remarkable milestone! Here’s to many
more years of excellence and dedication.
6
No. 109 – SPRING 2025 | THANOS MAGAZINE
MEMBERS’ NEWS
Are you ready to explore the wonders of Japan?
Join us in 2025 for the 54th FIAT-IFTA I.C.D. Meeting,
taking place from Monday, June 2, to Thursday,
June 5, at the prestigious Yokohama Bay Hotel
Tokyu and Pacifico Yokohama. This remarkable
event is proudly organized by the All-Japan
Funeral Directors Co-Operation (ZENSOREN), the
esteemed national member of FIAT-IFTA.
The meeting in the beautiful city of Yokohama,
one of Japan’s most iconic international cities,
offers an exceptional opportunity to foster
global networks within the funeral industry.
Participants can engage in meaningful exchanges
of information, uncover new insights through
inspiring lectures, and attend a comprehensive
exhibition and symposium designed for funeral
and related service providers. Above all, it
serves as a platform to build enduring business
relationships.
By attending the FIAT-IFTA Annual Meeting 2025,
you will also have the chance to experience
the unique charm of Yokohama – a city where
historical architecture meets modern urban
landscapes. Savor the distinctive flavours of
Japanese cuisine and immerse yourself in a place
where history and future converge, and tradition
and innovation harmoniously coexist.
All details and registration information are
available at www.zensoren.events .
Seize this opportunity to be part of an
extraordinary event and shape the future of the
funeral industry!
LET’S MEET AT FIAT-IFTA
ANNUAL MEETING 2025!
2-5 JUNE 2025, YOKOHAMA, JAPAN
8
No. 109 – SPRING 2025 | THANOS MAGAZINE
MEMBERS’ NEWS
What’s on the agenda?
The agenda for the FIAT-IFTA Annual Meeting
2025 promises a dynamic and enriching
experience, including: warm welcome cocktail
reception, board and ICD meetings, committees
meetings, prestigious gala dinner, vibrant funeral
industry fair, showcasing service providers from
across Japan, special lectures by industry experts
and optional tour for an immersive cultural
experience. This diverse lineup ensures a perfect
blend of professional networking, insightful
discussions, and memorable moments.
Registration deadline
Please remember that the application deadline is
April 30, 2025. Early Birds offer ends on February
28! You can choose a ticket with or without the
Optional Tourist Program. Each participant must
register individually. Payments can be made via
direct bank transfer or credit card.
Registration is possible on the official website of the
event www.zensoren.events .
Remember to book your hotel
There are two hotels recommended: The
Yokohama Bay Hotel Tokyu and Yokohama Tokyu
REI Hotel. All details are available on the website:
www.zensoren.events/fiatifta2025-hotels .
About Yokohama
Yokohama is a city of vibrant contrasts, blending
business and leisure, skyscrapers and serene
gardens, mountain landscapes, and ocean views.
With its rich history, dynamic culture, and countless
attractions, Yokohama promises an unforgettable
experience for every visitor.
As Japan’s first harbour city to open its doors to
the world, Yokohama has long been a gateway for
new cultures and innovations. From the moment
its port was established, the city has embraced
foreign influences, introducing Japan to its first-
ever experiences in cuisine, art, and a wide range
of cultural expressions. This rich history has earned
Yokohama the title of the birthplace of Japan’s
modern culture.
The people of Yokohama, referred to as “Hamakko”
in Japanese, have always been, cheerful, enjoying
life and adopting whatever is good. This tradition
of the “Hamakkos”, cultivated long ago, has been
incorporated into the present fashionable and
sophisticated streetscape. With a population of
3.7 million, Yokohama is Japan’s second-largest city
after Tokyo.
During the FIAT-IFTA Annual Meeting 2025 delegates
will spend much of their time in the Minato Mirai
district, meaning “Harbor of the Future”. This
vibrant area in central Yokohama is brimming with
attractions, hotels, shopping malls, museums,
and parks, making it a great starting point for
your Yokohama adventure. Here you will find the
Landmark Tower, Japan’s second tallest building,
offering breathtaking views from its observation
deck, Cup Noodles Museum – a fun and interactive
museum where you can learn about the history of
instant noodles and even create your own custom
cup noodles, Yokohama Cosmo World, which is an
amusement park featuring a giant Ferris wheel
with stunning nighttime views of the bay. For art
enthusiasts, the Yokohama Museum of Art is a must-
visit, boasting an impressive collection of modern
and contemporary works.
Don’t miss
the Early bird offer
– register before
February 28
and get a discount!
Registration deadline is
April 30.2025!
To register and book hotel
please visit the official
website of the event:
www.zensoren.events
PARTNERS AND SPONSORS OF THE EVENT:
THANOS MAGAZINE | No. 109 – SPRING 2025
MEMBERS’ NEWS
Sdružení pohřebnictví v ČR (Funeral
Association in the Czech Republic) is the
oldest and by far the largest professional
organization of funeral operatives in the
Czech Republic. It came into being in 1990
– in challenging times that followed the end
of the communist era. During more than four
decades of totalitarian regime, the funeral
profession in Czechoslovakia lost much of
its previous glory: not only was it severely hit
by communist materialism and suppression
of almost all manifestations of religious life
but – as private entrepreneurship was not
allowed – all the funeral services had to be
run by municipalities and local authorities
as “communal services”: as a result, most
funeral services (not all, fortunately) became
critically underfunded and thus neglected
and underdeveloped – also jobs in the funeral
profession and cemetery management were
not well paid and definitely were not awarded
much prestige or societal recognition.
DISCOVER
THE
CZECH
REPUBLIC
SDRUŽENÍ
POHŘEBNICTVÍ V ČR
– NEW NATIONAL
FIAT-IFTA MEMBER
By Renáta Březinová,
Director of Sdružení pohřebnictví
v ČR (Funeral Association in the
Czech Republic)
Renáta Březinová,
Director of Sdružení pohřebnictví v ČR
(Funeral Association in the Czech Republic)
10
No. 109 – SPRING 2025 | THANOS MAGAZINE
MEMBERS’ NEWS
In 1989, political and ideological limitations
ended and thanks to the newly achieved freedom,
many professions started to revive their roots
and traditions, family businesses started to
flourish and the number of funeral directors
– and the quality of services offered to bereaved
families – started to grow. Our Association set
as its goal to support this growth and improve
the quality of funeral services throughout the
country. Since the very beginning, we worked
out a Code of Ethics that our members had to
strictly adhere to.
In 1993, the Czechoslovak Federation was split
into two independent republics: the Czech
Republic and the Slovak Republic. The Czech
Republic, sometimes referred to as Czechia,
has a population of approximately 10 million
inhabitants living across an area of 78,866 square
kilometres. Approximately 110,000 people die
every year, with cremation being the most
common type of funeral. Cremation has been
rather popular even since the pre-war years
(the first Czechoslovak crematoriums started
to be built as soon as the first Czechoslovak
Republic was formed after the collapse of Austro-
Hungarian Empire in 1918): as of today, there
are 28 crematoriums in Czechia. In larger cities,
over 95% of deceased individuals are cremated.
Nationwide, the cremation rate is approximately
83%. We have no exact statistics, but the number
of burials without ceremony is relatively high in
the Czech Republic. There are about 6,000 burial
grounds in our country – this includes both the
public and non-public grounds, where non-public
means serving (or having served) solely to a
closed religious community.
Having mentioned that Sdružení pohřebnictví is
the largest professional association of funeral
operatives in the Czech Republic (150 active
funeral operatives are registered as our members
– there are 400 license holders in our country but
the number of functional funeral companies is
actually lower), we have to add that there are two
more funeral associations in the Czech Republic.
They are relatively small, but it is difficult to get
exact figures as neither of the two organizations
makes the number of their members public: the
Association of Private Funeral Services (Asociace
soukromých pohřebních služeb, est. 2010), and
the Union of the Funeral Services (est. 2016).
Today, the funeral profession is relatively
flourishing. The quality of funeral services still
varies: there are top notch companies offering
the best of the trade and sensitively responding to
what bereaved families wish and need, and there
also are funeral directors whose performance
is still very rigid, often unethical, and in general
unresponsive to what is expected from a good
funeral operative.
Our association aims to distinguish the good
ones and promote continual improvements of
its members. One way we do this is through
an award we introduced in 1997 called “Znak
kvality” (Hallmark of Quality) bestowed to those
directors who do – on a long-term basis – meet
our organisation’s strict ethical and professional
standards. We have also organized several
national funeral fairs and established four task
forces (permanent working groups) addressing
the most pressing issues in the areas of funeral
services, cemetery management and cremations;
the last task force focuses on miscellaneous
problems and areas that happen to be relevant
at the given moment. We also participate in
national legislative debates and our members
meet at annual conferences.
Our organisation owes many of its achievements
to several remarkable founding members, namely
Mr. Ladislav Kopal, our long-term director who
died rather unexpectedly last year. For me as
his successor on the post of our Association’s
director, the position is a real challenge: it is
not easy to meet the standards he had set.
My personal experience in funeral services
started in 2000. I entered Sdružení pohřebnictví v
ČR in 2006, working as its regional representative
for Central Bohemia since 2011. For many years,
I was a member of the organisation’s Board, and
in 2024 was elected as its first female director.
I was appointed a forensic expert in funeral
matters in 2010 and a member of the Task Force
for Funeral Affairs at the Ministry of Regional
Development in 2022. I own and run two funeral
homes and operate five ceremonial halls, and am
co-owner of a brand new crematorium that was
opened in 2021.
As a FIAT-IFTA National Member our goal is to
be an active part of the worldwide professional
community and to make our national endeavours
more connected with what is going on in the
world of funeral operatives.
Sdružení pohřebnictví v ČR, z.s.
www.pohrebnictvi.cz
Contact us: info.pohrebnictvi@gmail.com
THANOS MAGAZINE | No. 109 – SPRING 2025
11
MEMBERS’ NEWS
TRANSFORMING
OUR WORLD
THE 2030 AGENDA FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
AND THE FUNERAL SECTOR
By Katarzyna Supa, funeral innovation research, editor-in-chief of THANOS magazine
12
No. 109 – SPRING 2025 | THANOS MAGAZINE
MAIN TOPIC
The United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development represents an ambitious global action
plan for people, planet, and prosperity. Adopted
in 2015 by all UN Member States, the agenda is
anchored by 17 Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs), which aim to eradicate poverty, protect the
environment, and foster peace and prosperity for all.
As we progress toward 2030, industries worldwide
are scrutinized for their alignment with these goals
– and the funeral industry is no exception. Can
the sector meet the SDGs in the next 5 years? This
article explores the history, goals, and practices of
the funeral industry in light of this transformative
agenda.
With the release of this issue of THANOS magazine
we encouraged our members to reflect on their
readiness to fulfil the commitments set by the
United Nations, or whether they have already
achieved them. The feedback we received shows
that some companies are more advanced than the
others. We want to inspire the funeral sector by
showing the good examples worth following, so in
the next few issues of THANOS magazine, we will
describe the following goals in the context of the
funeral sector. Stay tuned!
A Brief History of the 2030 Agenda and SDGs
The roots of the 2030 Agenda lie in the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs), adopted in 2000
focused primarily on reducing extreme poverty
and improving access to education, health care, and
clean water. By 2015, significant progress had been
made, but gaps remained. Recognizing the need for
a more inclusive and comprehensive framework,
world leaders launched the 17 SDGs, designed
to tackle social, economic, and environmental
challenges holistically.
The SDGs encompass areas as diverse as gender
equality, clean energy, responsible consumption,
and climate action. Their universality ensures that
no sector, industry, or community is left behind in
contributing to sustainable development.
These 17 Sustainable Development Goals are:
1. No Poverty: Eradicate extreme poverty for all.
2. Zero Hunger: End hunger and ensure access to
nutritious food.
3. Good Health and Well-being: Promote healthy
lives and well-being for all ages.
4. Quality Education: Ensure inclusive, equitable
education and lifelong learning opportunities.
5. Gender Equality: Achieve gender equality and
empower all women and girls.
6. Clean Water and Sanitation: Ensure
availability of clean water and sanitation.
7. Affordable and Clean Energy: Ensure access
to sustainable, affordable energy.
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth:
Promote inclusive, sustainable economic
growth and decent work.
9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure:
Build resilient infrastructure and foster
innovation.
10. Reduced Inequalities: Reduce inequality
within and among countries.
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities: Make
urban areas inclusive, safe, and sustainable.
12. Responsible Consumption and Production:
Promote sustainable consumption and reduce
waste.
13. Climate Action: Urgently combat climate
change and its impacts.
14. Life Below Water: Conserve oceans, seas, and
marine resources.
15. Life on Land: Protect ecosystems, forests, and
biodiversity.
16. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions:
Promote peaceful, inclusive societies.
17. Partnerships for the Goals: Strengthen global
partnerships for sustainable development.
Good Practices and Examples
Worth Following in the Funeral Sector
The funeral sector, often overlooked in mainstream
discussions about sustainability, holds a
significant environmental and societal impact.
Traditional burial and cremation methods have
been criticized of late for their carbon emissions,
resource consumption, and waste generation.
However, innovative approaches and emerging
practices suggest that the sector can contribute
meaningfully to the SDGs.
Below you can find some good practices and
examples worth following:
• Green Burial Practices (SDG 15: Life on Land),
which minimize environmental impact by
forgoing embalming and using biodegradable
materials. In a growing number of countries,
cemetery managers are making efforts to
protect nature by restoring fully native habitats.
Composting (natural organic reduction), which
transforms the body of a deceased person into
soil, is also gaining acceptance.
• Funeral Service Access and Affordability
(SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities) advocated by
Funeral Organizations in many countries. They
guard price transparency and affordability
THANOS MAGAZINE | No. 109 – SPRING 2025
13
MAIN TOPIC
options, which ensure equitable access
to dignified end-of-life services. Funeral
companies often provide cost-effective services
for low-income families.
• Circular Economy in funeral products
(SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and
Production) constantly focused on searching
for sustainable innovations including urns that
grow into trees and caskets made from recycled
or renewable materials. These practices
exemplify responsible production while offering
meaningful memorialization options.
• Digital Memorialization (SDG 9: Industry,
Innovation, and Infrastructure) including
digital platforms for memorialization, such
as online tribute pages, reduce the need for
physical memorials and associated materials.
Digital memorialization is transforming how
people commemorate loved ones, aligning with
sustainable goals.
• Renewable Energy in Funeral Homes
(SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy) related
to identifying sources of emissions, using
technical innovations and optimizing energy
consumption for example by adopting
renewable energy systems, such as solar
panels, reduces their carbon footprint.
• Advocacy for Policy Change (SDG 16: Peace,
Justice, and Strong Institutions) by funeral
organizations and associations on a national
level. They work to promote sustainable
practices through education and policy
advocacy, fostering industry-wide change.
• Promoting Better Working Conditions
(SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth)
by ensuring safe and fair working conditions
for funeral industry employees, prioritizing
worker well-being, providing fair wages, and
implementing occupational health and safety
standards.
If you want to discover more inspiring sustainable
solutions, I kindly invite you to read the articles
in previous issues of THANOS magazine. Below
we publish some recommendations worth your
attention:
• With care for the planet . What contribution
can the funeral industry make to protecting the
environment?
• CSR Certification. Sustainable Entrepreneurship
is accomplished with the entire organisation.
• Sustainability is in our brand DNA. We confirm
this with SDG Pioneer Certificate.
• Driving ecodesign in the funeral sector.
A key tool in the transition towards a circular
economy.
• From policy to the emotional well-being plan
in funeral services.
Will the Funeral Sector
Meet the SDGs by 2030?
Achieving the SDGs by 2030 will require systemic
changes in the funeral industry, including
widespread adoption of sustainable practices,
increased accessibility, and cultural shifts. While
the industry’s challenges are significant, the
progress made by pioneers in green burials, water
cremation, and renewable energy is encouraging.
To truly transform, funeral companies should
develop new technologies and materials that
minimize environmental harm, partner with
governments, NGOs, and communities to promote
awareness and adoption of sustainable practices
and inform the public about sustainable options,
addressing cultural and religious concerns.
The funeral sector has the potential to align with
the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
by embracing environmentally friendly practices,
reducing inequality, and fostering innovation.
The examples highlighted demonstrate that
sustainability and dignity in end-of-life care are
not mutually exclusive. By championing change,
the sector can transform not only itself but also
contribute to the planet.
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No. 109 – SPRING 2025 | THANOS MAGAZINE
MAIN TOPIC
17th International
Funeral Exhibition
04/05/06 June 2026
More than 75 years of BEFA FORUM International
More than 25 x FORUM BEFA Regional
100% competence for the funeral branche
More than 230 NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITORS
on approx. 25.000 m²
More than 10.000 VISITORS from more than 40 countries
www.forum-befa.com
info@forum-befa.de
Image fi lm:
Registration forms
Would anyone truly wish to win a championship
trophy without ever playing a single game?
Sustainability is much like ‘winning the game.’
As Yehuda Berg notes in The Book of Dreams:
‘struggling to win through a long and arduous
season while overcoming real obstacles – that’s
what gives meaning and purpose to the concepts
of winning and victory.’
At the heart of every funeral service provider lies
a fundamental truth: our work extends beyond
providing a service; we are guardians of human
dignity during life’s most sensitive moments. As we
approach 2030, this responsibility takes on a new
dimension: becoming stewards of our planet’s future
through the integration of Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs).
The Call to Action:
SDGs and the Funeral Environment
The clock is ticking. With just five years remaining
to achieve the United Nations’ SDGs, our sector
stands at a crossroads. The challenge ahead is not
just a responsibility but also an unprecedented
opportunity to redefine how we honour both the
departed and the world they leave behind.
Why do SDGs matter to our sector? They provide a
roadmap for embedding sustainability into every
BUILDING
A SUSTAINABLE LEGACY
SDGs IN THE FUNERAL ENVIRONMENT
By Nuria Capdevila, Founder and CEO of CIRCLE Corporation, Spain
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No. 109 – SPRING 2025 | THANOS MAGAZINE
MAIN TOPIC
aspect of our operations. From ensuring well-
being through compassionate end-of-life care
to developing green cemeteries and promoting
responsible consumption, SDGs resonate with the
funeral services core values. This shift isn’t just a
trend; it’s a fundamental change in how society
views the relationship between end-of-life services
and environmental stewardship.
Best Practices for Achieving SDGs
in the Funeral Environment
To implement SDGs effectively, businesses should
focus on four key practices:
1. Contextualize: Adapt SDGs to your local
and operational context. Global goals must
be translated into actionable and relevant
initiatives tailored to a business’s local and
operational context. In the funeral services sector,
geographical, cultural, and regulatory factors often
dictate the most effective strategies. For example,
woodland burial parks in the UK align with regional
conservation goals by preserving native species
while providing natural resting places. By tailoring
global objectives to specific settings, businesses
can increase both the relevance and impact of
their initiatives, fostering stronger connections
with local communities and stakeholders.
Contextualization transforms the SDGs from
abstract global objectives into practical, localized
actions.
2. Innovate: Redefine traditional models to
align with sustainable practices. Such as,
in the United States, Recompose’s human
composting has pioneered human composting,
which has now been legalized in six states since
2019. Similarly, Aquaternal Innovations Inc.
in Canada has revolutionized the market with
their water cremation systems, developing
patented technology that significantly reduces
the environmental impact of final disposition.
These innovations demonstrate how our
sector can adapt and evolve while maintaining
its core mission of dignity and care. From
soil-based transformation to water-based
solutions, funeral service providers are proving
that sustainability and reverence can go hand
in hand.
Why do SDGs matter to
our sector? They provide
a roadmap for embedding
sustainability into every
aspect of our operations. From
ensuring well-being through
compassionate end-of-life
care to developing green
cemeteries and promoting
responsible consumption,
SDGs resonate with the funeral
services core values.
Best Practices
for Achieving
in the Funeral
Environment
1.
2.
4.
3.
Prioritize
What do you attach
importance to?
Why do you care?
Collaborate
Who can help?
Innovate
What should you
do differently?
Contextualise
Where are the
SDGs decisive?
THANOS MAGAZINE | No. 109 – SPRING 2025
17
MAIN TOPIC
3. Prioritize: Identify the most relevant SDGs for
your business. For funeral service providers, this
often means focusing on SDG 3 (Good Health
and Well-being), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities
and Communities), and SDG 12 (Responsible
Consumption and Production). For example, some
cemeteries in Spain are reducing water use by
40% through innovative irrigation systems while
creating biodiversity gardens that enhance local
ecosystems .
4. Collaborate: Collaboration is at the heart of
SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Addressing
the complexity of the SDGs requires joint efforts
between businesses, governments, NGOs, and
other organizations. For example, FriedWald’s
memorial forests in Germany demonstrate
how collaboration between environmental
organizations and the funeral sector can protect
natural habitats while providing meaningful
and sustainable memorial spaces.Embracing
partnerships not only enhances the effectiveness
of sustainability initiatives but also strengthens
relationships with stakeholders, creating shared
value for all parties involved.
The Role of Governance
and Accountability in Sustainability
According to the ISO 26000 guidelines, robust
governance is a key enabler of sustainability.
Funeral service providers can adopt transparent
accountability frameworks to measure and report
progress toward sustainability objectives. Establishing
clear leadership roles and aligning governance with
corporate sustainability reporting frameworks such
as the CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting
Directive) ensures not only compliance but also long-
term credibility.
Impact on Stakeholders:
A Dual Approach
One of the critical aspects highlighted is the
differentiation between stakeholders who
experience impacts (e.g., families, communities,
and future generations) and those who contribute
to those impacts (e.g., suppliers, regulators). By
tailoring engagement strategies for each group,
funeral providers can enhance their ability to meet
expectations and create a meaningful dialogue that
builds trust.
Turning Risks into Opportunities
The ISO encourages organizations to actively manage
risks and opportunities. For funeral providers, this
could mean embracing services such as green
burials, digital memorialization, and low-impact
cremation technologies as solutions to align with
evolving societal values. These innovations not only
mitigate operational risks but also open new market
opportunities.
Fostering Innovation and Transparency
Innovation and transparency are integral to aligning
operations with the SDGs. Funeral providers can
integrate data-driven technologies to monitor their
environmental footprint and report impacts more
effectively. By doing so, they enhance stakeholder
confidence and demonstrate a commitment to
continual improvement.
A Global Movement with Local Roots
Across Europe, regulatory frameworks like the
European Parliament’s Corporate Sustainability
Reporting Directive (CSRD) are encouraging
businesses to document their environmental and
social impact systematically. This accountability not
only drives progress but also inspires innovative
approaches, like Spain’s nature-integrated cemeteries,
to lead by example.
The funeral profession’s transition to sustainability is
not merely about compliance; it is about redefining
its societal role. By embedding sustainability into
daily operations, we can demonstrate that caring for
the departed and caring for the planet are mutually
reinforcing goals.
A Legacy for the Future
As we look toward 2030, embracing sustainability
is not just an option but a necessity. The funeral
environment has a unique role: to honour lives while
ensuring a sustainable legacy for future generations.
Every decision we make today, whether it’s planting
a tree in memory of a loved one or transitioning to
renewable energy, contributes to a world where
dignity and sustainability go hand in hand.
Sustainability, like the game referenced in the opening
quote, isn’t about quick wins but about persistent
effort, thoughtful innovation, and unwavering
commitment. Together, we can create a legacy that
honours both the past and the future, demonstrating
that the end of life can be the beginning of something
extraordinary for our planet.
Source:
1 Corporate sustainability reporting. 2024.
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Transforme Green Services is a business focusing
on consulting and environmental solutions that
supports the generation of positive social impacts
that are economically viable, socially fair, and
environmentally responsible. It also promotes
commercial and educational events, and engages
in socio-environmental management practices,
advising cemeteries, crematories, product
companies, and associations on best practices
and ESG innovations.
Sustainability initiatives focusing on Environmental,
Social, and Governance (ESG), along with the push
for implementing measures to meet the companies’
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), are
steadily on the rise in Brazil. The funeral sector is
no exception, whether driven by market demands,
compliance with future regulatory frameworks, the
entry of foreign investors, or management centred
decision-making processes that go beyond those
of “business as usual”.
The employment of sustainable strategies in the
Brazilian funeral sector has become an increasingly
relevant topic in recent years, as environmental
preservation concerns grow across all areas of
society. Companies in this sector have stood
out, making Brazil a hub for best practices in
sustainability initiatives, as well as innovative
products and technologies. Due to the nature of
their activities, cemetery enterprises are typically
seen as major contributors to environmental
impacts, whether through natural resource
consumption, landscape modification, or waste
generation. However, their operations continue to
be of great importance, particularly for the services
they provide to society and their contribution to
public health and well-being.
Companies like Parque das Cerejeiras Memorial,
located in São Paulo, have already realized that
incorporating sustainability as a core value in
their practice means driving positive change
by connecting business, people, and the
environment. For example, by incorporating
nature-based solutions into its memorial park
– such as a bee meliponario, a preserved
area with native trees that offset carbon
emissions, composting sites, a seedling
nursery, as well as sculptures and artworks
created exclusively for the site – it becomes
a beautiful, welcoming, and holistic space.
THE POTENTIAL
OF SOCIO-ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
IN THE BRAZILIAN FUNERAL SECTOR
By Rui Oliveira, Environmental Manager,
Founder and CEO of Transforme Green Services, Brazil
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The atmosphere fosters reflection for visitors,
honouring the memory of loved ones while
reinforcing the company’s commitment to their
sustainability report developed using the Global
Reporting Initiative (GRI) methodology.
It is important to note that, in order for
sustainable development to become systemic,
the integration of companies, associations,
unions, and professional organizations plays
a fundamental role in promoting events
and initiatives that drive the growth and
strengthening of the funeral sector. This
collaboration creates spaces for knowledge
exchange and the training of a more skilled
workforce, one that is better prepared for the
industry’s challenges. An example of this is the
Vila Enterprise, located in the city of Natal, which
received the Pursuit of Excellence Award 2024,
in recognition of its outstanding service, for the
fourth consecutive year. The award is granted
annually by the National Funeral Directors
Association (NFDA). Additionally, the company
was recognized by the Brazilian Association of
Cemeteries and Crematoria (ACEMBRA/SINCEP)
with the ‘Quality, Excellence, and Welcoming
Enterprise’ prize for its innovative actions,
sustainability efforts, and bereavement support
services. Reinforcing its commitment, the Vila
Enterprise plans to publish its sustainability
policy in 2025.
One of the key ways to drive this integration
is by fostering research and scientific studies
in collaboration with academic institutions.
This leads to innovative studies and products that
address relevant issues and topics of priority, with
the potential to contribute to the development of
the funeral sector by generating organizational
learning, business opportunities, innovation, and
competitive advantages. An example of this is Bosque
da Esperança, located in Belo Horizonte, which
promotes innovative practices in waste management,
composting, and solar energy, among other projects
that make this cemetery a truly enchanting space.
In summary, the importance of the funeral sector
to society is undeniable, with its greatest legacy
being the work done to provide benefits in life,
but also to ensure dignity, support, and comfort
in the loss of a loved one, all while ensuring that
their legacy lasts over time. Just like the purpose
of the sector, sustainability programs need to
be real, ethical, truthful, effective, and global,
tied to the principles of care and preservation.
After all, sustainability is all about people, and the
companies that embrace this understanding will
be ahead of the curve!
THANOS MAGAZINE | No. 109 – SPRING 2025
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PATH TO
A SUSTAINABLE
FUNERAL SECTOR
ACHIEVING ZERO CARBON
FOOTPRINT BY 2040
By Josep Ventura, PANASEF representative at FIAT-IFTA, Spain
One of PANASEF’s key pillars for the coming years is
to minimize the environmental impact of the funeral
sector in Spain. The Spanish funeral sector has
significant potential for energy savings and carbon
footprint reduction, and PANASEF is committed to
making it happen.
In PANASEF, we have set an ambitious goal for 2040:
Zero Carbon Footprint. The first step has been raising
awareness and informing funeral service companies
about the importance of collective collaboration. For
this reason, sustainability is a core topic at all our
events, including the Forum PANASEF, where it plays
a key role in roundtable discussions and exhibitions.
We have signed a collaboration agreement with
Iberdrola, one of Europe’s leading electricity companies
and a pioneer in renewable energy, to support and
guide us on this journey toward decarbonization. One
of the first initiatives we have developed is a specialized
carbon footprint calculator to help each company
measure its environmental impact. By providing basic
consumption data, each company can assess its
current carbon footprint, and Iberdrola
can assist in designing a tailored
roadmap toward decarbonization. The
data collected through this calculator
will also contribute to the annual
“Radiography of the Funeral Sector”
report published by PANASEF.
Additionally, as we emphasized earlier,
information and awareness have
become the driving forces behind
achieving our objectives. PANASEF has
created a dedicated sustainability
and funeral sector website
sostenibilidad.panasef.com which
uses clear and accessible language to outline practical
energy-saving measures for businesses, highlight
available investment support programs, compile
relevant national and European regulations, and
showcase successful case studies. Our goal is to make
sustainability more accessible to all funeral service
companies.
We are also working closely with various Spanish public
administrations. PANASEF is actively participating
in drafting the new regulations being developed
by the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and
the Demographic Challenge to regulate emissions
from cremation furnaces in Spain. As one of the
European countries with the highest number of
cremation facilities, Spain must take action in this
area, and we are committed to driving this change.
To implement these initiatives, PANASEF has joined
Forética, an organization that brings together leading
Spanish companies with the mission of promoting the
integration of environmental, social, and corporate
governance (ESG) factors into business strategies and
management.
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Sustainability requires clarity. With the DNK
industry guidelines for crematorium operators,
the Bundesverband Bestattungsbedarf e.V.
has created a practical basis that helps
companies to make their ecological, social and
economic goals comprehensible. The guidelines
developed in 2024 show how sustainability
can be systematically planned, implemented
and documented. In the future, it will also be
transferred to other specialist groups within the
association.
The Bundesverband Bestattungsbedarf e.V.
represents the interests of providers of products
and services for the funeral industry in Germany.
Its member companies include manufacturers
of coffins, grave stelae, urns, funeral linen
and grave crosses as well as financial service
providers, crematorium operators, suppliers
of cemetery technology and manufacturers
of memorial objects. With the guidelines, the
association initially focused on crematoria
due to their impact on the environment.
Some operators have already established
sustainability reporting in accordance with the
DNK in their companies.
The German Sustainability Code (DNK) is a
transparency standard that was developed
by the German Council for Sustainable
Development (RNE) of the German Federal
Government and is being actively promoted.
It defines fields of action ranging from
reducing emissions and conserving resources
to energy efficiency and social responsibility.
The recommendations help to identify sources
of emissions, use technical innovations and
optimize energy consumption.
Sustainability in the funeral sector:
The goals of the DNK guidelines
The industry guideline of the Bundesverband
Bestattungsbedarf e.V. translates complex
criteria into practical recommendations for
action for crematoria. The main objectives
include the identification and reduction of the
most important sources of emissions, but also:
• the promotion of energy efficiency,
• careful use of resources,
• promoting equal opportunities and diversity
within the company.
Step-by-step implementation
and monitoring
The association’s guidelines contain best practice
examples from members who have already
successfully implemented measures. The
proposed approaches are introduced gradually
and reviewed regularly to ensure that companies
are making their individual contribution while
raising the industry standard.
The implementation of such measures is
challenging. The biggest hurdles include regulatory
requirements, technical adjustments and employee
acceptance of new strategies. This is where the
association sees its role: it offers practical solutions
and promotes exchanges between member
companies in order to facilitate the transition to
sustainable business management.
MAKING
SUSTAINABILITY
MEASURABLE
THE GERMAN SUSTAINABILITY CODE (DNK)
By Frank Ripka, Chairman of the Board
of the Bundesverband Bestattungsbedarf e.V.,
Germany
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