ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines the transformations in the funeral market between 1991–present so that people can better understand the role of each group of actors and their functions. 1991 to 2001 is the period of a relatively rapid transition from the Soviet planned economy to a market economy. Private business was allowed in the funeral industry and dealt mainly with the production of accessories and different funeral services. Two mixed trends were visible during 2001 to 2014. The starting point of this period is 2014 – the annexation of Crimea by Russia and subsequent economic sanctions imposed by Western countries. In Russia, there are several professional funeral associations. The biggest of these is the non-profit organization the Union of Funeral Organizations and Crematoria. A national funeral exhibition – ‘Necropol’ – operates as a franchise and is held in several cities throughout the year. Being a funeral director in modern Russia is not a profession: a special education is not needed.
