My Ethical and Sustainability Values

I believe strongly that our planet deserves better from us all. Over the years, I’ve become more conscious of how, as a human being, I should not just help conserve, but help replenish the environment. I do my utmost to reuse, repurpose and recycle where possible and avoid single-use materials whenever I can in both my business and private life. We are all able to take steps to reduce our carbon footprint. These are some of mine.

Reducing my carbon footprint

Norfolk is a large and rural county with crematoria spread from Mintlyn near King’s Lynn to Gorleston and Cromer to Breckland and beyond. I try to coordinate visits to clients to reduce mileage; mine’s well under 7000 miles p/a. Where possible, I’ll use Zoom or similar to reach people. Any follow-ups are either by Zoom or phone unless it’s imperative that we meet face to face again.

You’ll see that I use my iPad when leading ceremonies; wherever and whenever possible, everything is digitalised. I rarely use my printer and that has refillable ink tanks.

I’ll email a copy of the full script to clients about a week after the service, but I’ll print a copy if requested. When I do so, it’s on recycled paper. I avoid single-use plastics wherever possible and try to purchase supplies locally. I don’t have an Amazon account!

Cremation is not really as environmentally friendly as most people think. Put starkly, it takes a lot of energy to cremate a body, typically 126kg CO2 equivalent emissions per cremation.

Burial, using UK-sourced natural materials such as willow, seagrass, wood and wool, is the most environmentally friendly option at present, but there are studies ongoing looking into composting; watch this space!

There are seemingly small things that families can do by choosing flowers grown locally; wild flowers look beautiful on a wicker coffin, perhaps with gypsophila and ivy woven around the outside. Plastic trays or foam oases are difficult to dispose of.

Over the years, I have led many celebrations of life for gardeners, especially people who grow vegetables and some of the best tributes have included their own fruit and vegetables, especially cauliflowers, carrots and leeks!

Think of having seeds as keepsakes, planting a native tree or giving out little pots of a favourite plant at the end of a celebration of life; I’ve added to my garden through the generosity of clients over the years.

I donate a percentage of my income to Norfolk Wildlife Trust and other environmental and wildlife charities. I do as much of my food shopping locally as I can, and I regularly visit farm shops on my way back from visiting clients.

As the advert says, “Every little helps!”

My Ethical values and Environmental Concerns

Whilst I promote choice in what’s included in funerals or celebrations of life, there are some things I cannot support and will ask clients to try alternative spiritual or symbolic gestures. My reasons follow, but if you’re at all squeamish, please don’t read on.

• The use of Chinese or Sky Lanterns. Not only do they pose a fire hazard, but any metal in the lantern can harm animals and birds and can lead to untold suffering.
• Balloon releases. They can litter the countryside, and deflated balloons can look like food to animals and birds. They block the digestive tract and can lead to a slow and agonising death.
• Dove releases. Doves are often bred specifically for weddings and funerals; they are supposed to signify a soul being set free. But the doves will have been transported in cages and, after release, often have to fly long distances. Not all make it home. It’s a business after all to make money from grief.
• Butterfly releases. The butterflies can introduce parasites and diseases into the wild population. Many of the released butterflies will not find sufficient food and water and may die almost immediately.