By Paulo Moniz Carreira, Chair of the FIAT-IFTA Sustainability and Development Committee, on behalf of members of the committee

In an increasingly sustainability-conscious and socially responsible world, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles have become essential in guiding business practices across all industries - including the funeral sector. Traditionally viewed as a sensitive and essential service, the funeral industry now faces new challenges and opportunities related to its environmental footprint, social role, and ethical governance.

Globally, the adoption of ESG practices in the funeral sector reflects a paradigm shift: from merely providing services to actively contributing to sustainable development goals. Issues such as reducing waste emissions in cremation processes, using biodegradable materials in coffins and urns, supporting grieving communities, and promoting equity and diversity within the workforce are just a few examples of how ESG principles are shaping the future of the industry.

In this context, it was approved in the FIAT-IFTA ICD meeting in Krakow, September 2024, to create a sustainable and development committee to, through the lens of ESG, highlighting initiatives, challenges, and opportunities that contribute to a more sustainable, ethical, and socially responsible funeral sector.

A Sector-Wide Diagnosis
At the June 2025 meeting in Yokohama, the Sustainability and Development Committee FIAT-IFTA presented the results of its first global ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) survey. This milestone initiative, launched in nine languages and distributed among the FIAT-IFTA members all over the world, marks a foundational step in aligning the funeral sector with global sustainability standards.
The survey is conducted considering the 3 ESG pillars – Environmental, Social and Governance, each once with its own dimensions, through different topics like emissions, energy, community engagement, human rights and labor standards, or policy commitments and anti-corruption policies.

The survey, conducted between May 5 and 16, 2025, received 65 responses from a diverse range of organizations of different funeral sectors, such as service providers, crematorium, repatriation and funeral service. The majority were small to medium-sized funeral service providers, with a strong representation from Europe (56.8%) and Latin America (21.6%). The data revealed a sector that is both engaged and uneven in its ESG maturity. 

While 52.3% of respondents claimed to apply ESG principles in their strategy, a deeper analysis uncovered significant contradictions. Many respondents who self-identified as knowledgeable rated themselves low on a quantitative scale, highlighting a widespread overestimation of ESG literacy. This gap underscores the need for clearer reference frameworks and targeted education.

>> Dive into the full article in THANOS Magazine to explore the findings and what they mean for our future.