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Eco-burials - The time for answers
By Simon Manning
For some years I have attended meetings in our industry where the topic of environmentally friendly funerals comes up. It always creates a great deal of discussion and, in a room of 40 funeral directors, there always seem to be more questions than answers. The subject is normally left up in the air and we agree to discuss it the next time someone brings it up. Following the meeting, around the bar someone will relay a story about "a weirdo" in their community who has tried to arrange one. Or, shock-horror, they actually managed to carry one out. But the funeral directors who speak in this manner are becoming few and far between. Most funeral directors do help people with whatever they are trying to achieve, no matter how their own views may be challenged.
It is my belief that eco-funerals will arrive sooner rather than later, and our industry, which sometimes seems slow to act, is being given a clear warning that they are on their way. So let's not put it in the too-hard basket. Let's start developing real options for people who want this type of funeral. Our company and a few others have put a great deal of work into developing and offering real options for those who want the eco-friendly funeral. Since we introduced our Eco-Casket range, we have been surprised by who chooses them when given the chance. I can remember when I thought the people who practised recycling were the same people who practiced free love, smoked marijuana and were members of Greenpeace. Oh, how times have changed. I guess if I was honest there was a time when I practiced free love (or at least cheap love) and smoked only Dunhill (so sophisticated). I wasn't a member of Greenpeace but I was a member of the Hutt Valley Rock and Roll Club. Shock-horror, I practice recyclingÉ what next! There are many people who want to practice a form of conservation. These are the thousands who are becoming more aware of their environment and, when given options, will choose the option they believe is easy on the environment. I'm sure you can see these changes occurring, even in yourself.
On the last trip to the supermarket, you may have been one of the people who chose the free-range eco-chicken eggs. Why do you think you did this? Or you may have purchased a "down-to-earth" range of dish washing detergent? You may have purchased something from the organic vegetable section. If you did any of these, you are one of the thousands of New Zealanders who are waking up to the need to take care of the world around us, whether it is ethically, morally, or practically. So why shouldn't funerals also accommodate this awakening in us all. It is my belief that those who do not practise safer and better practices in relation to our environment will be left behind. New Zealanders like you and I will move to funeral directors who offer the options. There is nothing new in this idea. For years, people have moved away from companies that fail to offer what the customer wants. There needs to be options for all, and they include those in our community who don't want embalming. The funeral industry does not have the right to dictate to its clients. It does, however, have a responsibility to offer options and to communicate clearly the consequences of their customers' choices.
Our company now offers eco-embalming, which accommodates environmentally friendly options. We have eco-caskets, which also offer environmentally friendly options. We clarify the consequences behind the options, and people can choose what they want. At the end of the day it's their funeral, and they have the right to be in control of their choices. Waitakere City Council in Auckland is offering burial options in Waikumete Cemetery for those who wish to return to the soil as soon as possible. These plots are unmarked and the location of each is only kept in the cemetery office. But only three people have chosen this form of burial in the seven years since it was first offered. The definition of what is an eco-friendly funeral is interesting. For me it is one where the family has considered the effects their choice will have on the environment and chooses the funeral that best serves their needs. It may be that the family chooses no embalming and a painted casket, or embalming and a pine casket with no glue. Whatever the decision, it should be what the family wants, and we should be careful to not define it too rigidly. We should simply present the options and let the family choose. What the funeral profession and each funeral company needs to decide is what is acceptable -- ethically, morally, and practically. There will be some occasions when a family's requests do not fit within our values and ethics. In these instances we need to be able to help families to the best of our ability, and offer them advice on where they may be able to get the style of service that they want.
The future of the New Zealand funeral industry must match the personality of the society we live in.
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