THANOS magazine 2/2026 (114)

Dear FIAT-IFTA Members,

We only have a few months left until our General Assembly, and I’m excited to share a few details as we begin the countdown. As customary, the gathering will be held in the country of the President. This year, our meetings will take place in conjunction with the NFDA International Convention & Expo in Charlotte, North Carolina, here in the United States. It is a convenient location with great air access, and it also gives us the chance to connect with colleagues from across the profession who will be attending the broader convention.

Our ICD meeting will be held on Monday, October 26th, followed by the General Session on Tuesday. I am looking forward to hosting everyone and to welcoming both long-time participants and first-time attendees. Registration will open on June 1st, and I encourage you to register early so you can secure your preferred hotel and make travel plans with confidence. If you are bringing questions, proposals, or items you would like to see on the agenda, please share them in advance so we can make the best use of our time together. The strength of our Assembly comes from active participation, and your ideas help keep our work relevant and forward-looking.

As for me, I am looking forward to seeing many members - or, by the time this is published, having already seen many of you - at the various conventions and meetings I am attending in Europe and Asia. Every event offers formal education, of course, but I continue to believe that the conversations between attendees are just as valuable. Hearing how colleagues are approaching staffing, training, family expectations, facilities, and new cultural needs gives me practical insight that no single program can provide. Please don’t hesitate to introduce yourself if we cross paths; I welcome the chance to listen, learn, and bring your perspectives back into our shared work

Coming up soon is the BEFA Forum in Düsseldorf, where FIAT-IFTA’s Education Committee will host an exhibit entitled A Manifesto of Visibility and Voice. The exhibit is designed to illuminate both the challenges and the triumphs that shape women’s professional and personal lives in funeral service. By highlighting women’s perspectives in a field that has often been male dominated, we hope to foster dialogue, spark change, and celebrate the essential labor women perform every day - whether they are leading firms, serving families, managing care, or mentoring the next generation.

The display will include submissions of photography, painting, collage, and short videos from contributors in more than 13 countries. I’m especially pleased that it brings together voices from different cultures while focusing on shared experiences - visibility, recognition, and professional opportunity. In the United States, a new hire in funeral service is increasingly likely to be a woman under 25, and similar trends are emerging in many regions. Exhibits like this help us reflect on how our workplaces, education pathways, and leadership structures can evolve to support the people who are shaping the future of our profession. If you can make it to the BEFA Forum, I hope you will take time to visit the exhibit and enjoy the conversations it inspires.

William C. Wappner
FIAT-IFTA President