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Thursday, 23 March 2023

Our Unique (Carbon) Footprint

The human species has a unique ability to shape the environment in which they live, and this ability comes with a responsibility to ensure that this impact is sustainable as physically possible. As humans, we alter landscapes, exploit natural resources, and emit pollutants that contribute to climate change. 

The funeral industry is an area where our uniqueness as humans and our lasting impact on the environment is particularly relevant. Traditional funeral practices often have a significant environmental impact, including the use of embalming chemicals, non-biodegradable caskets, and burial vaults. However, there is a growing movement towards more sustainable funeral practices.

By embracing our uniqueness as humans and considering our personal values and beliefs, we can make informed choices about our end-of-life arrangements that align with our environmental values. This can include opting for more eco-friendly funeral options, choosing a final resting place that aligns with our values, or engaging in green burial practices.

  1. Choose eco-friendly disposition options: As mentioned earlier, traditional funeral practices can have a significant environmental impact. However, there are now many eco-friendly options available, such as natural burial, alkaline hydrolysis and terramation (human composting). These options can minimize the use of harmful chemicals and reduce the carbon footprint of the funeral. 
  2. Consider donating your body to science: Donating your body to science can be a meaningful way to contribute to scientific research and education. This can help advance medical knowledge and potentially lead to new disease treatments.
  3. Support conservation efforts: You can leave a lasting legacy by supporting conservation efforts through your will or estate plan. This can include donating money to environmental organizations or leaving property for conservation purposes.
  4. Opt for a green funeral: Green funerals can include a natural burial that involves placing the body in a biodegradable coffin or shroud and burying it in a natural setting, such as a meadow or forest. This can help promote biodiversity and support local ecosystems. A service can be provided at a park or green graveyard to reduce our carbon footprint. The casket can be brought via a hearse bicycle as seen recently in France. Cutting down on travel for guests can help with our carbon footprint. Using seeded paper or biodegradable printed items can also help. See also our blog post on an Eco Funeral 
  5. Reduce waste and consumption during your life: By living a sustainable lifestyle during your life, you can minimize your environmental impact and leave a smaller footprint after you pass away. This can include reducing waste, conserving resources, and supporting eco-friendly products and practices.

Ultimately, recognizing our uniqueness as humans, we in the funeral industry can help create more meaningful and personalized end-of-life experiences that reflect the individuality of our clients while also minimizing our environmental impact.

What do you think? Would you go green at the end?

Friday, 10 March 2023

All Things Mental Health With Barbara Kemmis of Cana

  






Losing someone and mourning a loss takes a toll on the mental health of the people that are left behind, especially during the pandemic, when cremation disposal was on the rise.  Relatives’ gathering for the celebration of life gathering was very limited. 

Now that the effects of the pandemic have waned, cremation is still on the rise, which could be understood as a result of lack of burial sites and financial constraints.  On the good side, though, the pandemic has brought a positive effect on mental health because it is openly discussed in society. 

Jennifer’s guest for this episode is Barbara Kemmis, the  Executive Director of  CANA and conversation will focus around mental health and how cremation has evolved since the pandemic. 



"As humans, it is our impulse to gather, to comfort each other, to celebrate together." - Barbara Kemmis


LITTLE NUGGETS OF GOLD:

  • Does Barbara think that cremation will continue to grow after Covid? 
  • Jennifer's thoughts on funerals and celebration of life.
  •  Barbara's experience participating in an online funeral for a distant relative in the Philippines.
  • CANA's Focus Group research validation on direct cremation and cremation with service.
  • Why does Jennifer think that funeral directors losing it in terms of value servicing?
  • Thoughts on cremation as a threat to the profitability of funeral providers.
  • If there is such a thing as a positive outcome of the pandemic, it would be the increased openness on mental health.
  • Why is mental health important in developing some kind of coping mechanism?
  • Funeral directors are complemented by event planners and celebrants in providing value to families.
  • CANA is now taking an interest in different forms of disposition.



Resources: 

Book mentioned by Jennifer - The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters by Priya Parker 


Connect with Barbara Kemmis:

Funeral Professionals Peer Support

CANA Website


Connect with Jennifer/The Glam Reaper:


Friday, 3 March 2023

Exceptional Learning and Networking With The President of NFDA

 




In this episode of The Glam Reaper Podcast, Jennifer had an interesting conversation with the new President-elect of the NFDA (National Funeral Directors Association), Jack Mitchell. Jack is a sixth-generation funeral director with Mitchell-Wiedefeld Funeral Home in Baltimore, Maryland. Even at a young age and after being exposed to the family business, he already has an appreciation for what funeral directors do for people, and how helpful they are to people. Now as the new president-elect, he is looking to expand on the effort and the work of the association, especially where regulations are concerned. See for yourself how interesting the conversation turned out to be. Enjoy! 



“The number one thing above all others that our members are telling us is their challenge, right now is simply getting good funeral directors.” - Jack Mitchell


Little Nuggets of Gold:

  • Background of Jack Mitchell and his journey to becoming the president-elect of the NFDA.
  • Did Jack consider not following in his family's funeral service business?
  • What is your experience of Jack in attending the National Conventions in the past and now attending there as the President of the NFDA?
  • In what way did Covid19 affect Jack Mitchell’s ascendancy to the presidency of NFDA?
  • What makes the theme for the Service Remembrance for the National Convention extra interesting and special for 2022 being held in Baltimore?
  • Jack's thoughts on the progression or diversification of having other celebrants for the Service of Remembrance, other than the clergy.
  • What are Jack's goals or objectives for NFDA as its new President? (...A focus on the regulations and licensing for funeral directors and morticians.)
  • The different levels of obligation from a time standpoint as President of NFDA. (...How does Jack feel about the presidency?)
  • In what way did Covid19 affect Jack Mitchell’s ascendancy to the presidency of NFDA?
  • What makes the theme for the Service Remembrance for the National Convention extra interesting and special for 2022 being held in Baltimore?
  • Jack's thoughts on the progression or diversification of having other celebrants for the Service of Remembrance, other than the clergy.
  • What are Jack's goals or objectives for NFDA as its new President? (...A focus on the regulations and licensing for funeral directors and morticians.)
  • The different levels of obligation from a time standpoint as President of NFDA. (...How does Jack feel about the presidency?)
  • Jennifer's side story about how she found out about www.ancestry.com and how it can help someone learn where in the world your DNA comes from.



Connect with Jack Mitchell:




Connect with Jennifer/The Glam Reaper: