Funeral directors in Switzerland are stuck with a surplus of coffins since the virus didn’t hit the country as hard as expected. In March, Italy was the worldwide epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak. With Italy just a short drive over…
The Netherlands gets one step closer to legalizing water cremation
After extensive research the Dutch government is now preparing to allow alkaline hydrolysis within the Netherlands. The Dutch Funeral Services Act defines what is legally allowed to happen to a deceased body. Currently, it specifies that a body can be…
German Funeral Association demands more focus on the domestic production of coffins in response to crisis
The corona pandemic raises the questions of dependency on global supply chains for essential supplies. In a response the German Federal Association of Funeral Services is asking the government for steps in strengthening the essential production of domestically made coffins.…
Immigrant Muslim families struggle as traditional Islamic burials are not possible across Europe
With borders closed across the globe, immigrants can no longer be laid to rest in their home lands with their religious rites. Traditionally, first generation immigrants, in Europe, have preferred to be buried in their homelands.Large populations of Moroccans and…
“Forgotten key workers” lacking PPE may lead to bodies not being collected in the UK
Chief of the ‘The National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors’ urges the UK government to prioritize funeral workers in the distribution of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). In a worldwide scramble for PPE Mr. Tennens, representing a group of…
Madrid’s contingency morgue is a local ice rink
Spain is now the second worst affected country in Europe. With the country struggling to contain the outbreak and new deaths. There are 64,059 infected and 4,858 dead as of today. Madrid is the most populated city in Spain and…
Italian protocols are leaving families trapped with the dead bodies of Covid-19 victims
To stop the spread of coronavirus the Italian government has implemented a countrywide lockdown. And while security protocols are helping deter the spread of the virus, it’s also leaving families trapped with the dead bodies of Covid-19 victims who die…
The dire situation in Italy pressures European funeral directors to prepare
The increased death count and regulations due to Covid-19 is creating pressure on the Italian death care industry. No services and immediate disposal is difficult for families and directors. Every 30 minutes a funeral is taking place in Bergamo, a…
Irish Funeral Home Association releases coronavirus guidelines for funeral directors
In a response to the increasing death toll of coronavirus victims, the Irish Association of Funeral Directors has issued guidelines for handling deceased victims of the virus. The guidelines are meant to protect funeral directors as well as their clients.…
First funeral expo cancelled due to coronavirus
Due to the spread of the coronavirus throughout Europe Tanexpo, one of Europe’s largest death care exhibitions, has been cancelled and won’t return until 2021. The organisation of Tanexpo has released an official press release on its website, stating: “Following…
