The Federal Association of German Funeral Directors (BDB), based in Düsseldorf, serves as the leading umbrella organization for the German funeral industry. The BDB represents the interests of approximately 3,000 member companies, which accounts for about 80 percent of all funeral homes in Germany. In addition to representing the professional interests of its members, the association advocates for high quality standards and sound training within the industry. Through its affiliated German Institute for Funeral Culture (DIB) and the Board of Trustees for German Funeral Culture, the BDB also promotes funeral planning and the preservation of cultural values in dealing with the deceased.

At INTERSCHUTZ 2026 in Hanover, the BDB’s funeral director emergency team will present itself to an international audience of industry professionals for the first time. While traditional emergency responders primarily focus on rescuing and providing medical care to survivors during large-scale incidents, natural disasters, or major accidents, the emergency team plays a specialized role behind the scenes. The experts assist with the professional recovery and care of the deceased and, through their logistical and technical expertise, relieve the primary emergency responders on site.

A key objective of the trade show presentation is to highlight the potential applications of this team within the civil protection framework. The emergency team’s responsibilities extend far beyond purely technical procedures. They include providing professional care in accordance with high standards, organizing complex operations in exceptional situations, and interacting with bereaved families in a trained and sensitive manner. At INTERSCHUTZ 2026, it will be demonstrated how these specialized professionals can be effectively integrated into existing national and regional response structures to enhance the effectiveness of expanded civil protection.

The emergency response team was originally established at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and has since steadily evolved into a structured component of civil protection. It draws on the collective expertise of the BDB’s member companies, which are organized nationwide. Through central coordination in conjunction with regional units, rapid and needs-based alerting can be ensured in an emergency. This guarantees that qualified personnel and logistical resources can be accessed immediately in the event of a crisis.

INTERSCHUTZ 2026 offers the Funeral Director Emergency Team a platform to intensify its exchange with partner organizations and trade visitors. The team will provide on-site information about its areas of responsibility and highlight opportunities for closer cooperation in crisis management. Interested trade visitors can learn about the team’s specific structures and support services at Booth C16 in Hall 17.

Exhibition Area Civil Protection Purchase Ticket