Funergal returns, the only international fair of the funeral sector in the Iberian Peninsula in 2022

• The 11th International Fair of Funeral Products and Services and the 2nd International Congress of Funeral Directors will be held in Expourense (Ourense) between May 19 and 20
• Professionals from Spain and Portugal met this morning to define the professional actions of the next edition, the first with the High Speed connection that places Ourense at 2 hours 15 minutes from Madrid

Funergal returns, one of the most anticipated events by professionals in the sector after 3 and a half years without being held as a fair. The 11th edition of the International Funeral Products and Services Fair returns to the Expourense calendar after not having been able to hold its edition in 2020 due to the pandemic. It will take place in Ourense on May 19 and 20, 2022, Thursday and Friday, thus reinforcing the professional nature of the event, which will be the only international fair for the funeral sector held on the Iberian Peninsula this year.

This morning the first meeting of the fair’s advisory committee was held virtually, in which professionals from the funeral sector from Spain and Portugal participated. Directed by the director of Funergal, Rogelio Martínez, this meeting was attended by the National Association of Funeral Services (PANASEF); of the National Association of Entities and Municipal Companies of Funeral Services and Cemeteries (AFCM); the Associaçao Portuguesa dos Profissionais do Funeral Sector; the Galician Association of Funeral Services Companies (AGESEF); of the territorial headquarters of the Consellería de Sanidad; of The Funeral Guide; of the FunEXPO Madrid fair and the Grupo Ataúdes Gallego. The members of the advisory committee showed their support and commitment to spread the celebration of the fair among their associates and exposed the topics that they would like to be addressed in the training actions of this event.

During the presentation of the next edition, the director of Funergal pointed out that the objective is “to prioritize attendance and position ourselves as the great meeting point of the sector in the Iberian Peninsula by 2022. If after almost three and a half years that have passed since the last edition, we add a universal pandemic in which the funeral sector has played an essential role, the result is that Funergal is positioned as the best setting for professional reunion and to present all the news in products, services and knowledge”.

He also reminded the members of the committee that it is also the first edition of Funergal with the High Speed connection. Ourense is now 2 hours and 15 minutes from Madrid, a city connected by direct flight with 66 countries, which will facilitate the participation of exhibitors and, above all, national and international visitors. Visitors who decide to go to Funergal by train can benefit from a 10% discount thanks to the agreement between Expourense and RENFE. In addition, the organization has created a professional visitor package that includes accommodation in the city to facilitate the visit to the fair.

Funergal 2022 is currently in the full commercialization phase of the fair and the reception by companies is being very positive since it has a high degree of loyalty from exhibitors from other editions and has added new additions.
The last edition, held in 2018, was one of the most complete to date with 111 exhibitors from 14 countries. The organization now has the challenge of approaching these very good figures in the first complete post-pandemic edition. It should be remembered that in September 2020, under the umbrella of Funergal, the 1st International Congress of Funeral Directors was held, which brought together 24 speakers from 4 countries, more than 250 attendees and contributed to making visible the role of professionals in the sector during the pandemic. This year the second edition will be held in parallel and complementary to the fair and will analyze the challenges of this essential sector in the post-COVID era, also claiming its role as the last link in the health chain.

The Congress will have interventions in a mixed format (face-to-face / online). The follow-up by the attendees can also be carried out in either of the two modalities. This formula will allow reaching a greater number of people and will facilitate the participation of international experts who will be able to connect from their places of origin. Face-to-face congress attendees will be able to participate in the working lunches as well as carry out organized visits and interact with the present exhibitors. This way they can make the most of their registration.

Funergal 2022 will once again become an international business meeting point where professionals and suppliers can meet and learn about innovative products and services that allow them to face future challenges. They will have the opportunity to establish business relationships and alliances, as well as create and develop business opportunities, while sharing information and looking for new clients. Its fundamental objective is to promote business, competitiveness and updating in this field while presenting a wide range of products and services, adapted to the needs of the different professional visitors who must respond to the demands of the final consumer with the latest trends and advances in the sector.