Even though we are on the bleeding edge of this trend, and we are still trying to get definitions sorted out, we must listen and be attentive to requests from these families. Please take these as very basic, initial strategies...

When asked about what "green" or "environmental" or "natural" service offerings or products, ask the families to elaborate. "Can you please what you mean by "green"?

Again, this is very initial, but I would guess these families are going to fall into 1 of 3 categories:

Green Hardcore: they will want dark, dark, green - meaning that they will want to go all the way with no embalming, shroud or natural casket, and green burial. Do not get into an argument with these people - they are experts and we are not (not yet anyway). They may be willing to pay more to get want they want.

Environmental: this group may surprise you with what they are willing to compromise on. Ask for explanations and give them choices. These are examples, not necessarily suggested wording
- Toxins vs. Pollution: Embalming vs. 5 + days of refrigeration
- Renewable vs. Pollution: Bamboo casket (from China) vs. local pine casket
- Natural vs. $$: Green burial vs. cremation
Money and convenience will dictate how green they want to be.

Natural / Hands On: this group will be asking for the new trend mainly because they do not link what we have offered them in the past. They see the green movement as a more hands-on option as we have done such a great job of sterilizing funeral service. Not letting them wash the body, not allowing them to lower the casket by hand. Be flexible with this group and they will appreciate you improvising to best suit their wishes. They will probably be willing to pay extra to get what they want.

Please, this is just my initial take on things and I am sure that we be able to dial this in better in the years to come. I would appreciate your comments and thoughts!

Hep

I think you have given a very thorough and succinct appraisal of the potential characterisations of those leaning to the green option when it comes to funeral, very good in fact.

One side point from here in the UK is that we may be a lot less ‘sterile’ compared to other countries, specifically the USA etc.

You said ”They see the green movement as a more hands-on option as we have done such a great job of sterilizing funeral service. Not letting them wash the body, not allowing them to lower the casket by hand. Be flexible with this group and they will appreciate you improvising to best suit their wishes.”

It may interest those from elsewhere that here on the UK we depend a lot less on embalming, cosmetics applied to bodies etc. and we usually lower the coffin into graves by hand using ropes and I dare say that if a family members wanted to do so personally we would encourage this as we do for family bearers of the coffin.

The death experience therefore does appear more ‘earthy’ or back to nature here but this has the side-effect of sometimes being rather scary to some as they can be as hands-on as they wish to a major degree and this up-close-and-personal approach is too much for many. Perhaps this will prove to be the main reason that hardcore green funerals will take a long time to become mainstream, at least here in the UK.