By Alison Crake, Chair of FIAT-IFTA Global Education Committee on behalf of members of the committee.

The Global Education Committee is gathering information about the role of women in the worldwide funeral profession with an innovative new project. “A Manifesto of Visibility and Voice” is an online project that invites women working in the funeral profession to share their stories through visual expression.

Through this new and innovative project, the FIAT-IFTA Global Education Committee is seeking to better understand the valuable role that women play in the worldwide funeral profession. The aim is to build a creative collection that reflects the realities of their work - often quiet, often unseen - and to help others better understand the vital role women play in caring for the dead and supporting the living, all around the world. Whilst we possess significant knowledge regarding the activities of our global membership, our understanding of women’s roles, as well as the systemic barriers and challenges they may encounter, is still limited.

Although this project aligns in some ways with Goal 5 of UNESCO’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals, “Gender Equality”, it is about much more than policy alignment. We believe it to be the first step toward understanding the role of women through an evolutionary lens.

Across cultures and throughout history, the role of women in death care has shifted dramatically. Today, it reflects a rich tapestry of cultural traditions, spiritual beliefs, gender dynamics, and social change. But how does this evolution affect women working in the profession now? Are there still barriers that prevent or hold women back from roles that, in many societies, have traditionally been held by men?

Imagine a world where we explore these questions not just through words, but through the universal language of art. That is the vision behind “A Manifesto of Visibility and Voice” - a project which invites women in the funeral profession - regardless of role, background, or location - to submit visual works that reflect their personal and professional experiences. Whether it is a photograph, a painting, a collage, or any other form of visual expression, our intention is that each submission becomes part of a growing global archive that honours their work and sheds light on their stories.

This initiative will not only be a creative platform but also a tool for education and advocacy. By centring women’s perspectives in a field that is often male-dominated, the project aims to foster visibility, spark dialogue, and celebrate the essential - yet often invisible - labour women perform in caring for the dead and supporting the living.

Who can participate?
>> Read more in autumn issue of THANOS magazine

To register your interest in being part of this valuable, innovation project, please contact Alison Crake, Chair of FIAT-IFTA Global Education Committee via email at alison.heritage@thanos.org.