European Norm 15017

a solid foundation for providing funeral services
with professionalism, dignity and respect

By Anke Teraa, Executive Director of European Federation of Funeral Services (EFFS)

The European Federation of Funeral Services (EFFS) aims to provide knowledge, tools and instruments for their members in 29 countries across Europe and worldwide, in order to assist in implementing and upholding the highest possible quality of services in the funeral profession.

Anke Teraa, Executive Director of European Federation of Funeral Services (EFFS)

Almost 20 years ago, in the absence of common European legislation for services in the funeral sector, it became very apparent that a standard of services was necessary and for that purpose, the first European Norm (EN15017) was published in 2005. Several years later, in line with the changing landscape in the funeral sector, it again became quite apparent that an update was imminent and following a three-year process, the current EN15017 was published in 2019.

Today, many funeral professionals throughout Europe voluntarily perform their services according to the guidelines and standards set forth in the EN15017. At the same time, continuing to increase awareness of the EN15017 throughout Europe is of the utmost importance to uphold the quality of services provided in our sector.

The establishment of a European Norm (EN) involves an extremely structured process overseen by European standardization organizations, in the case of the EN15017, by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) located in Brussels, Belgium.