Transforming Traditional Industries: Profitable Lessons from Funeral Services

In this episode, hosts Will Richardson and Charlie Luxton delve into the surprising intersection of tradition and sustainability within the funeral industry. Joined by Sarah Jones, Founder of award-winning Full Circle Funerals, the discussion uncovers how the age-old sector is undergoing a transformative shift towards embracing sustainable practices.  Fellow B Corp Full Circle Funerals stands at the forefront of this evolution by reframing funerals within the realm of health and social care. By prioritising holistic support and sustainability, Sarah challenges the conventional transactional approach of traditional funeral services.  The episode underscores the evolving landscape of funeral services, where sustainability is becoming integral to end-of-life planning and commemoration. Highlights:  With approximately 600,000 funerals arranged annually in the UK, Sarah sheds light on the environmental impact of traditional flame cremations and explores alternative options like electric cremators and natural burials.  The conversation extends to personal choices in funeral arrangements and the importance of discussing end-of-life wishes with loved ones.  Sarah’s book, Funerals Your Way, provides a resource for individuals to navigate their options and make informed decisions aligned with sustainability principles. Use code FYW25OFF for 25% off your copy here.  Through crowdfunding, Sarah initiated a groundbreaking study evaluating the environmental impact of different committal methods, including burial and cremation. Beyond carbon emissions, the study also considers factors like land usage, water consumption, space utilisation, and biodiversity.  Sarah highlights the benefits of natural burial, which involves shallow depth and biodegradable materials as potentially the most environmentally friendly option.  The conversation touches on the response of the funeral industry to sustainability efforts, with Sarah acknowledging the challenges of mobilising a diverse sector without regulatory guidance.   Will and Charlie share their personal experiences and perspectives, with Will discussing his decision to opt for a wicker basket burial for his father and reflects on the environmental impact of funeral practices.  Resources: Full Circle Funerals Funerals Your Way by Sarah Jones – use code FYW25OFF for 25% off! Greener Funerals Research    Green Element Group is an environmental management consultancy offering a range of bespoke sustainability services, products, and resources to accelerate the just transition to a stable climate. The Group consists of Green Element Limited, Compare Your Footprint Limited, and Sustainability Solved Podcast and Resource Hub. Find out more about Green Element Group here and benefit from a 20% discount on the first year of subscription to Compare Your Footprint, the highest quality carbon footprint software for your organisation. When registering, click ‘Got a Coupon’ and enter code ‘PODCAST‘ to claim discount. A big thank you to our sponsors! This episode of Sustainability Solved is sponsored by Business Declares, a not-for-profit business network who inspire, encourage, and accelerate action within businesses to address the climate, ecological, and social emergency. They are an active network of 100+ businesses who back our commitments to reach net-zero, restore and protect nature, and advocate for regulatory change. Join Business Declares as a member to get help accelerating your action on net-zero targets and on nature targets for your business from the network. Find out more here: Business Declares Mentioned in this episode:Climate Transition that WorksDon't stop at carbon measurement. Go from insight to action with 51toCarbonZero. Measure & Report Effortlessly gauge your impact: swift and precise carbon footprint and ESG measurement. Transition Navigate towards net-zero and your impact goals: set accountable plans and governance. Engagement Inspire your stakeholders: the board, colleagues, suppliers, clients and investors More Than a Platform: Your Strategic Sustainability Partner Embark on your net-zero and sustainability journey with confidence with 51toCarbonZero. We go beyond providing a platform; with Climate Unlimited™, our expert advisory service, we ensure simplicity every step of the way. See us as an extension to your team; guiding you through the measurement process, charting your net-zero path, obtaining disclosures, engaging your stakeholders, consulting on complex climate subjects as well as addressing any questions that arise. 51-0