ありがとう、日本！Thank you, Japan!

The 54th FIAT-IFTA I.C.D. Annual Meeting in Yokohama

The FIAT-IFTA 2025 Annual Meeting in Yokohama, Japan was a remarkable week of learning, global networking, and unforgettable cultural immersion. This memorable event proudly hosted by the All Japan Funeral Directors Co-Operation (ZENSOREN), the respected national member of FIAT-IFTA, and supported by many partners will remain in our hearts and memories for a long time.

Held from Monday, June 2 to Thursday, June 5, the 54th FIAT-IFTA International Council of Direction (I.C.D.) Meeting convened at the prestigious Yokohama Bay Hotel Tokyu and Pacifico Yokohama. More than 120 funeral professionals from 36 countries gathered to strengthen international collaboration and exchange within the global funeral industry.

What truly set this event apart was the rare opportunity to experience the depth of Japanese cultural heritage - from artisanal sake and time-honored rituals to traditional funeral practices. Alongside the cultural richness, the event provided a highly productive environment for building valuable professional relationships and sharing insights across borders.

Creating new standards and rules of ethical conduct

The centerpiece of the Yokohama meeting was the FIAT-IFTA International Council of Direction (I.C.D.) session, where pivotal decisions shaping the organization’s future were made. Amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws were voted on and will be presented to the General Assembly for approval during the FIAT-IFTA 2026 Convention in Charlotte, USA. Additionally, the I.C.D. approved the FIAT-IFTA Code of Conduct, which will be shared with all members in the near future. For the first time all five FIAT-IFTA committees: Funeral Heritage, Global Education, Sustainability and Development, Embalming, and Coffin Standards presented their reports and outlined upcoming projects. These initiatives focus on gathering knowledge and best practices to protect intangible funeral heritage, empower women and promote gender equity, implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the funeral sector, establish international standards in coffin production and embalming, and strengthen cooperation with partners such as UNESCO. We are grateful for the lively and constructive discussions and are pleased to see our members increasingly engaged in shaping a new, forward-looking standard of quality in the global funeral profession.

Discussions on innovation, grief and sustainability

The Yokohama meeting will also feature inspiring keynote lectures by internationally recognized experts, including:

• Carl Becker, PhD., D.Psych., Kyoto University School of Medicine, Japan
• Terumitsu Noiri, Funeral Director, Embalmer, and Certified Public Accountant, licensed in both the U.S. and Japan. A fourth-generation funeral home owner.
• Jackie Lymn Rose, Director and fourth generation at A.W. Lymn The Family Funeral Service, UK
• Christine Reichelt Pepper, MBA, CAE, CEO of the National Funeral Directors Association, United States
• Nuria Capdevila Roig, Founder & CEO CIRCLE Corporation, Spain

Insightful and inspiring presentations examined the transformation of the funeral industry in Japan and the UK, shifting consumer preferences across generations, the vital role of funeral services in the grieving process, and innovative approaches to sustainable cemeteries, with Spain serving as a compelling case study.

Visit to Japan's largest funeral fair

Attending the Funeral Business Fair - a vibrant exhibition and symposium designed for funeral and related service providers - gave us a great overview of the services, systems, products and equipment required by funeral homes in Japan. Highlights included striking displays of home altars, impressive elegant floral arrangements and multimedia altars for funeral halls, urns, coffins and funeral-related clothing. Several innovations stood out, such as a mobile crematorium for pets, refrigerated storage units for storing bodies in containers that can be easily transported from one location to another.

Opportunities to connect in a more informal setting

The FIAT-IFTA Annual Meeting 2025 also offered a chance to experience the unique charm of Yokohama - a city where historical architecture blends seamlessly with modern urban landscapes. Welcome Reception as well as the Gala Dinner arranged as a Japanese festival was a marvelous chance to delight in the rich flavours of Japanese cuisine and immerse ourselves in Japanese culture and hospitality – an unforgettable celebration of tradition, flavor, and graciousness.

Optional tourist program offered us an enriching experience that beautifully combined cultural discovery, natural beauty, warm hospitality, and the authentic flavors of Kanagawa and Hakone. We began with a visit to the Fujimi Funeral Hall and Crematorium in Hadano, a peaceful city embraced by the lush landscapes of western Kanagawa Prefecture. Next, we toured the Kanai Sake Brewery, where traditional Japanese sake is crafted using the pristine waters of the Tanzawa Mountains. At the sacred Hakone Shrine, nestled on the shores of Lake Ashi, we received a special blessing in this spiritual power spot. And of course, we paused to take in the majestic views of Mount Fuji and Lake Ashi. At this moment we have to mention our friend and colleague Andres Tõnissoo, representing our national member, the Estonian Association of Funeral Directors, who reached the very top of Mount Fuji!

From insightful lectures and engaging discussions to unforgettable moments, this meeting has filled us with inspiration, new ideas, and lasting connections. FIAT-IFTA members left Yokohama with full hearts, broadened minds, and a profound appreciation for this beautiful country and its culture.

We warmly invite all FIAT-IFTA members to save the date for our next gathering: the FIAT-IFTA 2026 Convention will take place from October 26 to 28, 2026, in Charlotte, USA.

See reports from previous FIAT-IFTA meetings:

• FIAT-IFTA Annual Meeting 2023 in Varna, Bulgaria
• FIAT-IFTA Annual Meeting 2022 in Budapest, Hungary
• FIAT-IFTA 2024 Convention in Krakow, Poland