October 19, 2023
On the 19th of this month of October, we had the honour of participating in the round table on ‘Sustainability in the Funeral Sector,’ sponsored by the GREMIO PROVINCIAL DE POMPAS FUNEBRES DE VALENCIA, at Funermostra, where we thank them for the opportunity to participate and put our preservative by the hand of Nuria Capdevila Roig, CEO of CIRCLE Corporation.
We would like to thank the moderator, José Luis Ferrer Rossi, Second Vice-President of AFCM and Manager of CEMABASA, as well as our distinguished colleagues at the table:
Olga Moro-Coco, Secretary General of IBERATAUD
Carlos Sanza de la Rica, Legal Advisor of AFCM and General Secretary of Servicios Funerarios de Madrid (SFM)
Inés García Clariana, Architect and expert in educational innovation, technology and sustainability
Carlos Mundina, Councillor Delegate for Cemeteries and Funeral Services, Valencia City Council.
For those who were unable to attend, here is a brief summary of the topics covered. We began by addressing the importance of the 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), endorsed by 194 countries of the United Nations. We highlight why the funeral sector plays a key role in the completion of the life cycle.
We closed the round table by summarising the valuable contributions of our fellow panelists. Olga Moro-Coco underlined the relevance of certifications in coffin manufacturing, while Carlos Sanza de la Rica presented a concrete example of sustainable transformation at Servicios Funerarios de Madrid (SFM). Inés García Clariana inspired us by highlighting the beauty of the subtle, such as the importance of light in cemeteries around the world and how innovative practices can change laws and perspectives. Finally, Carlos Mundina shared the actions carried out in the Valencia cemetery, illustrating how continuous improvement in sustainability can be achieved.
The moderator, José Luis Ferrer Rossi, posed a fundamental question: ‘Why is circularity and sustainable development important in cemeteries?’ As cities grow and populations expand, the role of cemeteries as essential services evolves. We highlight that just 1% of the world's land area is home to more than 50% of the human population, underlining the need to honour the past and plan for the future.
The idea of a modern cemetery is based on the integration of the past into the present and future. The past is an invaluable legacy that gives meaning to our cultural system, including stories, heroes, landmarks, rituals and practices. Nuria Capdevila Roig stressed that ‘It is a heritage of humanity that deserves to be appreciated and valued’.
