ECOLOGICAL FUNERAL
We will reduce the burden on nature.
There is almost no waste at the ceremony.
We do not use any substances that are harmful to the environment.
We will use the tools and aids repeatedly.
No plastic wrap at the ceremony.
We will buy the material without packaging if possible.
We will only use responsible suppliers.
We will use refurbished technology.
No chemical embalming.
All of this will reduce carbon emissions.
We apply some of the principles of sustainability at each of our funerals: for example, minimal waste, no chemicals, historic furnishings, funeral card or greener transport.
However, some policies are only applied by special request - this includes, in particular, an eco-friendly coffin or a coffinless funeral.
ECOLOGICAL COFFIN
We use coffin made of easily degradable materials, made nearby, from local ingredients, without toxic chemicals. It can be a very traditional decorated coffin. It can be a coffin made of simple treated wood without an aggressive finish.
If we want a more airy coffin, we can use a wicker, bamboo or paper coffin. But beware of wicker coffins: peeled wicker from China has nothing to do with ecology, and wicker from Central Europe is quite expensive. Better try bamboo, paper or other materials. The great advantage of a paper coffin is that we can conveniently write messages to the deceased on it: everything we didn't get to say, couldn't say, or didn't want to say... it's a cute, yet very fake form of farewell, not only for children.
ECOLOGICAL URN
We will use an urn made from sustainable materials. If we are going to put it in the ground, we will choose a material that will decompose.
Today, "green funerals" use a plastic "standard, state" urn anyway, from which the ashes are just transferred to a "green" urn. We'll try not to use a plastic urn at all.
CLOTHES FOR CREMATION
We recommend choosing clothing that does not produce harmful fumes when burned, especially avoiding chemicals or plastics. For example, a shroud made of natural fabrics is appropriate, dignified and tasteful.
What about shoes? It is advisable to omit them (rubber produces many toxic substances). On the other hand, if it is important to you or the bereaved in terms of piety, we will put on shoes - it is the least ecological damage we can do.
KREMACE
Cremation is the most popular but most energy-consuming way of burial. The carbon footprint is approximately the same as driving a fully loaded car from Prague to Croatia and back. On top of that, crematoria in the Czech Republic run exclusively on gas - and in today's situation we cannot control where the gas comes from.
FUNERAL WITHOUT A COFFIN
We know that many of you long to be buried without a coffin. For you, the coffin symbolizes heaviness and imprisonment. It kind of hides death from the bereaved. The coffin also prolongs the decomposition time of the body and where the water table is high, encloses the body in a sealed container. What's more, making a coffin is ecologically very demanding.
Believe me - burial without a coffin is not a moral, legal or religious issue. We have a solution that is fully compliant with Czech law. We wrap the body in a burial shawl made of natural materials. Instead of a grave, we will dig a shallow underground wooden tomb, reinforce it with planks and close it with a solid hardwood slab that will be walkable. The tomb can then be covered with soil and grass, a flower bed or ivy. The body will still be in a wooden container: but it will be in a much larger, airier space than the coffin. If they wish, the the bereaved can take part in the preparation of the body and also the tomb - it will help them to say goodbye.
STORAGE OF REMAINS
Ashes after cremation: the cleanest way is to scatter or pour the ashes. For example, the ashes can be placed next to a tree and scattered in water.
If we want to deposit the urn whole, we can also deposit it next to a tree or even in the cemetery in an existing tomb or columbarium. We have a long-standing and happy relationship with the Forest of Memories, but we can also place the ashes by a tree that we can plant together in the garden, for example - and it will be a ceremony that will help everyone and still bring the bereaved together.
CLOTHES IN A COFFIN
We recommend using a shroud made of easily degradable materials. We do not recommend the use of clothing with chemicals and plastics (e.g. rubber-soled shoes). However, it is important to respect the dignity and wishes of the deceased - this is also a priority under the law, the new Civil Code (89/2012 Coll.).
FLOWERS AT THE FUNERAL
Cut flowers at funerals are beautiful and uplifting, but their history is often full of destruction of nature and denial of all principles of sustainability.
So the cleanest solution is to use paper flowers. We can create them and reuse them, or you can create them yourself. Making paper flowers is a private ceremony in itself, which can be a prelude to a public one - and is also a great way to involve children in the ceremony in a natural way. But feel free to have us put the paper flowers together for you.
Another option is to use flowers that we grow in pots.
If we use live flowers, we have suppliers who will only put together bouquets from what is currently blooming in the surrounding area and in their flowerbeds.
We never throw away flowers after the ceremony. the bereaved can take them home (nothing weird about that) or decorate the grave. If they don't want them, we have arranged for churches that are happy to use the flowers as decorations (except during Lent when churches are not decorated). If our ceremony is in a church or chapel, they will often use the flowers right there. Alternatively, we can place flowers in the cemetery - most cemeteries have a common grave or a large cross... The last option is to decorate memorials to the fallen, which are found in almost every village.
SHIPPING
We will only use cars that comply with the German Green Emission Label: https://www.ekologickaznamka.cz/ekologicka-znamka-nemecko/
We will not use any diesel cars (we don't have the money to buy electric cars yet, our company is small).
We normally use public transport and bicycles to get around town when we are not carrying anything. For transportation outside the city, we use trains when we can (but we admit that we don't use trains as often as we would like: we usually take bigger things to the ceremony, so we just have to use the car).
CEREMONIAL OBJECTS AND FURNISHINGS
We use mostly historical ceremonial items that were handmade 50-150 years ago. For example, bronze candlesticks, bronze urn covers, ceremonial vessels and shovels.
We use products made from natural materials. Wooden chairs, metal tables, wooden vessels. We try not to use any plastics at all.
REFRESHMENTS AT THE CEREMONY
We'll design the refreshments to make the most of it. If we use a professional caterer, we can also find one that has its own greenhouse and compost, and that observes basic courtesy.
You told us about the cups, even the paper ones with a certificate are often coated with plastic, so we've stopped using them altogether and use only reusable glasses and plates.
Some of the catering can be prepared by the bereaved themselves - how about baking the buns that our late grandmother baked for us all her life?
CLEANING UP AFTER THE CEREMONY
We don't use any chemicals at all to clean the ceremony site (we typically clean up after ourselves in the meadow, villa or church, so it's not even necessary).
We don't use any chemicals to clean the ceremonial items either, warm water and a microfiber cloth are actually the gentlest. The only exception is disinfecting.
FUNERAL CARD
We have our own templates for funeral announcements, which are adapted for sending electronically and via social networks - simply on a smaller size than A4.
It's not just about the format, but also the font chosen, its size, line spacing, margins, types of ornaments - all of which affect the overall readability and impression. And of course we can print them on 100% recycled paper.
HAPPY PEOPLE
We try to make the people who work with us happy. They get a decent wage and we don't force anyone to work against their convictions.
We comply with the European Social Charter and the European Charter for Diversity.