Greenwashing - What it is & how you can spot it
According to the Cambridge dictionary, “greenwashing” is an attempt to make people believe that your company is doing more to protect the environment than it is.
Capitalism breeds commercialism. Most industries, if not all have evolved to reflect that infrastructure. Unfortunately, the Funeral Industry is not an exception & you can’t always tell by the verbiage a company chooses to use. DDNC is committed to transparent education. While we do not sell Funeral Goods we would like to help you spot greenwashing so you can make the most informed choices possible.
When you are searching for Funeral Goods here are some important things to consider -
Take caution when you see an abundance of vague buzzwords.
There are no strict regulations for what constitutes a “natural,” “green,” or “eco” product. Think about the standards you might use to describe vague buzzwords like “green?” That’s tough, right? On the surface, these all seem like positive descriptors but if there’s “no meat on the bone “ often there is not much substance behind them. Check in if you’re unsure.
Know the source-
Ask your funeral home or vendor where their product was made. They know. You still want to ask Conservation Burial Grounds & other Eco Friendly options. Branding is powerful. Many places with eco centered missions have also cut corners sourcing largely from Asia. Studies have shown that US imports are nearly canceling out any progress we have made cutting our footprint.
Ask for more local options. We have progressively green options that source local to their area all throughout the country to choose from. Some even in North Carolina. If it is not an option to purchase ethically through a Funeral Company near you, you can absolutely purchase more directly. There is no law that says you must buy from a Funeral Home or company. Sometimes, with the model we are currently using, direct is the best way to to honor the planet in our choices. Added bonus that it also feeds families & grows smaller, ethical, US companies. Your urn could be from the Farmer’s Market. You do you!
Here is a great resource-
Funerary Artisans Collective
This is our favorite resource for ethical & environmentally committed Funeral Goods. Why? Because of their strong convictions & minimal footprint. This includes ethical & direct sourcing. Through their directory you can learn about the Crafter’s process & behind the scenes, insuring confidence the choice you make. That personal & deeply beautiful connection does not mean a higher price tag contrary to the understandable, common belief.
As of this time, we don’t know of a Funeral Goods resource list with higher standards or more transparency.
