History of the FIAT-IFTA Federation

Fédération Internationale des Associations de Thanatologues (FIAT) - International Federation of Thanatologists Associations (IFTA)

The idea of founding FIAT-IFTA, originated in the fall of 1969, in a little town near Paris. Originally three founders took the initiative, André F. Chatillon, Robert Lepine and Jacques Marette. On April 24th 1970, FIAT-IFTA was founded in Monaco with: President André Chatillon, First Vice President R. Lepine; Second Vice President J. Collaer, Secretary J. Marette and Treasurer E. Aubert.

The objective then was merely to promote "the preservation care through thanatological / embalming practices". In 1988 FIAT-IFTA was transformed into a World Wide Federation of Funeral Services.


Past Presidents

 

1970

André Chatillon - Monaco

1994 - 1996

Dirk van Vuure - Netherlands

1971

Robert Lépine - Canada

1996 - 1998

Alfredo Peculo - Argentine

1972 - 1974

Joseph Collaer - Belgium

1998 - 2000

Gilles Poirier - Canada

1974 - 1976

Lorne Kelly - Canada

2000 - 2002

Jiro Yoshida - Japan

1976 - 1978

Raoul Pinette - USA

2002 - 2004

Wolfgang Zocher - Germany

1978 - 1980

Ronald Whiston - USA 

2004 - 2006

Barry Albin-Dyer - UK

1980 - 1982

Jacques Gourdon - France 

2006 - 2008

Josep Cornet - Spain

1982 - 1984

Daryl Blackwell - Australia

2008 - 2010

Chen Qunlin - P.R. of China

1984 - 1986

Gaston Gaudet - France

2010 - 2012

Gus Nichols - Ireland

1986 - 1988

Giovanni Primavesi - Italy

2012 - 2014

Claus - D. Wulf - Germany

1988 - 1990

Jacques Marette - France

2014 - 2016

Marc Poirier - Canada

1990 - 1992

Jordi Vallverdú - Spain

2016 - 2018

Teresa Saavedra - Bolivia

1992 - 1994

William Hocker USA

Every two years, the FIAT-IFTA General Assembly meets. Members from all over the world attend the meetings. The attendees are presented with a program of interest and normally attend funeral homes, cemeteries etc. in the country that hosts the Conference. The members of the Board have their Board meeting and all Members can attend the General Assembly. There is also ample opportunity to meet each other socially.

The 15th FIAt-IFTA International Convention took place in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia 26 September - 30 September 2018. Previous FIAT-IFTA International Conventions were held in:

  • 2016 Montreal - Canada
  • 2014 Düsseldorf - Germany           
  • 2012 Dublin - Ireland
  • 2010 Beijing, Shanghai - P.R. of China     
  • 2008 Barcelona - Spain    
  • 2006 London - United Kingdom             
  • 2004 Berlin - Germany           
  • 2002 Kyoto -Japan   
  • 2000 Toronto - Canada
  • 1998 Barcelona - Spain    
  • 1996 Amsterdam - The Netherlands            
  • 1994 Nashville - USA      
  • 1992 Barcelona - Spain    
  • 1990 Nice - France 

Global members

FIAT-IFTA is the only internationally governed funeral Federation with National, Active And Associate Members in more than 80 countries.

Find a member nearby Become a member