SBO Project "Death Care"

Groundbreaking research into the funeral industry in Flanders

By Johan Dexters President of Funebra and Vice-President of FIAT-IFTA, Belgium

With the approval of the Strategic Basic Research (SBO) project "Death Care" the foundation has been laid for groundbreaking research into the funeral industry in Flanders, in collaboration with the University of Antwerp and the Institute of Tropical Medicine. This project focuses on the legal, social, cultural, and ethical challenges within the sector, with the aim of translating scientific insights into innovative and socially relevant applications. The approval of the project, after three submission rounds, marks a milestone as it is the first study of this scale to focus on death care.

Sustainability and Diversity: The Need for Renewal

Recent global events have highlighted the need for change within the funeral industry. The COVID-19 pandemic revealed vulnerabilities in current practices and stimulated the search for alternatives. Additionally, the European Green Deal puts pressure on the sector to achieve climate neutrality. The increasing religious and cultural diversity also calls for a revision of both laws and informal practices related to funerals.

In the context of "Death Care," four research lines have been established:

1. Legal Framework for Exceptional Circumstances
The project aims to address legal grey areas, such as the status of unborn life, handling bodies during pandemics, and new challenges like the donation of bodies to art. This should lead to a new version of funeral legislation.

2. Sustainable Death Care
The environmental impact of both burials and cremation practices is being closely examined. New techniques such as humusation, cryomation, and resomation are being explored. The goal is to rethink the relationship between human bodies and nature in an ethically sustainable way.

3. Diversity in Rituals and Needs
Flanders is a super-diverse society where different religious minorities have their own funeral needs. The project aims to map these needs and develop a holistic approach to death care.

4. Pandemic Challenges
The pandemic brought to light issues faced by both funeral workers and bereaved families in dealing with deceased bodies. The research aims to develop a principled approach to funerals during pandemics.

Innovation and Future Vision for the Funeral Industry

The SBO project aims for deep collaboration between academic research and societal stakeholders to transform the sector in a sustainable way. Expectations are high, not only for Flanders but also internationally.

“What COVID has shown us is that, regardless of our customs, we are not that different,” says Johan Dexters, President of Funebra and Vice-President of FIAT-IFTA. The project thus presents a unique opportunity to gain knowledge and provide innovative solutions for death care in Flanders.

The approval of this project marks the beginning of a new phase for the funeral industry, where sustainability, legal clarity, and respect for diversity are central. With this pioneering research, Flanders has the potential to play a leading role in international death care.

In preparation for the start of this research, we have welcomed several highly interesting speakers at the University, including international experts from the Netherlands, Poland, and New Zealand, who presented ongoing and completed studies in the funeral industry.

Through collaboration and innovation, we look towards a future where the funeral industry continues to professionalize and meets the needs of an ever-evolving society.

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