By Katarzyna Supa, funeral innovation researcher, editor-in-chief THANOS magazine

Welcome to the next instalment in our series exploring the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the unique lens of the funeral sector. In this edition, we turn our attention to Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

At first glance, this might seem like an odd match for our industry. After all, funeral services exist because life inevitably ends – so what does promoting health and well-being have to do with us? Quite a lot, actually.
It’s easy to assume that our sector benefits when health fails, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. We’re not in this line of work because we’re indifferent to loss – in fact, it’s the opposite. Those of us who work in or with the funeral profession understand, more deeply than most, just how devastating loss can be and how essential good health and well-being are to living a full life.

Supporting healthy lives isn’t just about the communities we serve, it's also about us. Our teams, our colleagues, and our own well-being matters, too. The way we show up, care, and lead within our sector can, and does, make a meaningful difference.
It may seem paradoxical – after all, funerals mark the end of life. But by supporting community health and staff well‑being, funeral homes uphold dignity in both life and death. Though positioned at life’s final chapter, our profession has a real and powerful role to play in supporting community well-being, advocating for health equity, and ensuring that dignity and care extend far beyond the boundaries of the funeral home.
Let’s explore how our industry can align with Goal 3 in ways that are compassionate, responsible, and surprisingly impactful.

The Current State of Good Health and Well-being Worldwide

The state of global health shows both meaningful progress and areas of serious concern. While maternal and child mortality has declined, infectious and non-communicable diseases continue to strain healthcare systems worldwide and mental health issues remain underfunded and overlooked.

Infectious diseases still pose a central challenge. HIV deaths have halved since 2010, but 9.3 million people still lack life-saving treatment, and new infections are rising in parts of the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Latin America. Similarly, tuberculosis cases reached a record 8.2 million new diagnoses in 2023, the highest annual total since global reporting began. Meanwhile, 1.5 billion people are affected by neglected tropical diseases. In contrast, malaria prevention has seen major success, with 2.2 billion cases prevented since 2000 and 44 countries declared malaria-free.

Non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, respiratory illnesses, and diabetes, cause over half of all deaths under 70. Despite growing awareness, global progress remains off-track.
 

Mental health, increasingly seen as a vital part of well-being, still lacks adequate funding and resources. Stigma and underfunding continue to hinder progress. The UN is stepping up efforts, recognizing its impact on individuals, families, and communities.

Global healthcare capacity is improving, but unevenly. High-income countries have ten times more health workers per capita than low-income nations. Without urgent action, the world could face a shortage of 11.1 million health workers by 2030, with Africa and parts of Asia most affected.

In tandem, the drive for pandemic preparedness, accelerated after COVID-19, now includes stronger investment in emergency response systems and frontline health workforce resilience – critical areas for maintaining health security.

How Can Funeral Companies Support Healthy Lives and Promote Well-being?
>> Discover some inspiring examples when reading THANOS magazine