Press Note – Funergal
>> The 13th International Trade Fair for Funeral Products and Services opened its doors today at Expourense (Ourense), bringing together 44 exhibitors from 10 countries
>> The products and services on display focus mainly on sustainable and personalized funerals, where Artificial Intelligence is used to preserve memories
>> The rise in cremations has led to new products such as active columbariums for ash custody, as well as jewelry and preserved flowers for remembrance
Funergal opened the doors of its 13th edition this morning at Expourense, positioning Ourense on the international map of the funeral sector by bringing together 44 exhibitors from 10 countries and professional visitors from around twenty countries across four continents. The large number of visitors received during this first day confirms the support of industry professionals for the only international funeral trade fair being held this year in the Iberian Peninsula and the only event offering business opportunities while showcasing the latest products and services. Visitors come from around twenty countries, with a particularly strong presence of funeral professionals from Portugal, who account for more than 35% of attendees.
Innovation and sustainability are the defining themes of the products and services presented at this event by the 44 exhibitors from 10 countries (Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, El Salvador, Spain, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, Peru, and Portugal), including leading companies and professional associations in the sector. The latest trends being showcased include sustainable funerals (electric or hybrid hearses, water-soluble urns, and recycling of metals after cremation), fully personalized funerals (coffins inspired by the Corpus Christi carpets of Ponteareas or the Camino de Santiago), and services adapted to modern times, ranging from digital wake services to all the support Artificial Intelligence can provide funeral professionals. Many of the products on display are aimed at preserving the memory of the deceased through jewelry, urns containing preserved plants mixed with ashes, or the creation of keepsakes such as stuffed animals or keychains made from special clothing belonging to the deceased (whether human or pet).
In 2024, Spain recorded 433,547 deaths and, for the first time, cremations surpassed 50% nationwide. This trend has also increased the demand for products and services related to the custody and preservation of ashes. One exhibitor introduced its “Active Columbarium,” designed for funeral homes that now offer temporary ash custody services, allowing families time to grieve, have a nearby physical space for remembrance and tribute, and have time to decide what they wish to do with the ashes. In fact, the columbarium displayed at Funergal, featuring a beautiful image of the Cabo Home Lighthouse, will be installed after the fair at a funeral home in Moaña (Pontevedra).
The fair was visited by a large delegation of institutional representatives, including the president of the Provincial Council of Ourense, Luis Menor. This edition also includes funeral business owners from countries such as Mexico, Peru, Chile, Ecuador, and El Salvador, who are holding business meetings with all exhibitors.
Among the activities held this morning was the presentation of Spain’s new funeral sector map by ANFA-Agora, the new association of funeral professionals officially launching at this event whose objective is to unify and defend the interests of small and medium-sized funeral companies, especially those operating in rural areas.
The funeral floristry workshop led by Rita Soto, a florist from O Carballiño, also attracted considerable attention, introducing the public to the latest trends in floral art, which focus on white flowers and new arrangements such as baskets or modular designs with nests, allowing close family members to take home part of the arrangement as a tribute or keepsake after the funeral. Rita Soto also presented her idea for a “gift condolence card,” which includes condolences along with a voucher for a floral arrangement for the deceased to be used at a later date, since, as she explained, “sometimes too many flowers arrive at once, and this allows people to bring flowers on another meaningful occasion such as Christmas or the anniversary of the person’s passing.”
The fair also features the exhibition “Cinenterios,” promoted by the Association of Funeral Homes and Municipal Cemeteries AFCM–Cementerios Vivos, offering a cinematic perspective that highlights the cultural heritage found in cemeteries while presenting a contemporary vision of these spaces of memory. Also on display is a horse-drawn funeral carriage provided by Grupo La Libélula from Valladolid.
The Mexican foundation “Honor a quien Honor Merece,” which is participating in the fair, will present its awards tomorrow, Friday, at 5:30 p.m., recognizing the contributions of both companies and professionals to the international funeral sector.
Funergal will be open tomorrow, Friday, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and on Saturday, May 23, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
This 13th edition is sponsored by the Provincial Council of Ourense, with additional sponsorship and collaboration from major funeral service groups in the country such as Interfunerarias and Grupo Albia.
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