When asked to consider the environmental impact of their own or a loved one’s funeral, almost half (49%) of respondents said this was either ‘very’ or ‘somewhat’ important to them1. Conversely, 39% felt it was either ‘not very’ or ‘not at all’ important and a further 12% were unsure. This may be due to barriers such as cost, accessibility or knowledge of the available options.
For decades, the UK has mainly offered two main ‘types’ of funeral – burial or traditional fire cremation. Both practices have a high carbon footprint, with the Guardian reporting that the average cremation emits around 400kg of CO2 into the atmosphere, whilst burials can release toxins into surrounding soil2.
In recent years, calls have been made for ‘greener’ funeral options to be made more widely available in the UK. For example, water cremation is already a popular choice in other countries around the world. Now being piloted in the UK, it is suggested to become the next big ‘green’ disposal option for residents.
There are however a number of existing ways to reduce the environmental impact of a funeral, for those that wish to do so. One option is to use a coffin made of biodegradable materials, such as wicker, willow or bamboo. 64% of survey respondents say they would consider this for their own or a loved one’s funeral.
50% would be open to using eco-friendly funeral products, such as organic flowers and orders of service made from recycled paper, while 34% say they would encourage mourners to make donations to environmental or conservation charities. Encouraging guests to carshare or use eco-friendly transportation was another popular choice (22%), followed by choosing an online memorial service to reduce travel-related emissions (12%).
Emma Simpson, Marketing Manager for pre-paid funeral plan provider, Ecclesiastical Planning Services, comments “We would always encourage people to consider their funeral footprint where possible, so it’s positive to see that the majority of over 50s are open to using eco-friendly alternatives. Our network of funeral directors is well-placed to guide people on the available options – and can of course record your choices as part of your funeral wishes or a pre-paid funeral plan for those that want to plan ahead.”
Sources
1. OnePoll research of 1,000 UK residents aged 50 and above, on behalf of Ecclesiastical Planning Services, October 2023.
2. The Guardian, Church of England to consider greener alternatives to burial, 6 February 2023.