Funeral Homes in France: Origins and Evolutions

pando

1 meet the team !

Josie Wolf Rowen VonPlagenhoef Ella Pinard-Bertelletto Lucie Coquet Harvard University Harvard University Sciences Po Paris Descartes

Special thanks to The Biopolis Rob Lue, Alain Viel, Adam Tanaka, Jessica Liu, Nina Varchavsky

2 Table of Contents

Executive Summary 4 Framing the Issue 8 Sustainable Development Goals 14 Previous Approaches 17 Proposed Solution 30 Biological Inspiration 45 Business Plan 50 Assessment Plan 58

3 executive summary

Globally, urban cemeteries have Through the creation of a new become overcrowded due to space- funerary service, Pando aims to consuming burial practices and limits provide green and aﬀordable on expansion. In Paris, overcrowding alternatives to each step of the burial of the dead has been a problem for process. The new funerary service will centuries longer than it has been in connect individuals to sustainable o t h e r u r b a n c e n t e r s . W i t h burial products through a web based approximately 100,000 Parisians platform. Additionally, an awareness dying in the next seven years and campaign will be launched by hosting current cemeteries being at capacity, forums in public spaces to generate a more sustainable solution needs to conversation on death. implemented. The goal of our project will be to Currently, funeral homes hold a lower funerary costs for families while monopoly over the burial market, also transforming the cemeteries into resulting in families purchasing green spaces by creating a cultural expensive, resource-intensive coﬀins shif towards sustainable burials. and non-environmentally friendly tombstones.

4 « Les cimetières qui demeurent des lieux privilégiés du souvenir au sein de nos villes et villages, subissent la même destinée que les hommes: ils naissent, grandissent, changent d’aspects et son appelés aussi à mourir tôt ou tard. »

Pascal Moreaux (2009) auteur de Naissance, vie et mort des cimetières.

“Cemeteries, which remain privileged places of remembrance within our cities and villages, undergo the same destiny as men: they are born, they grow, they change appearance and are brought to die, sooner or later.”

Pascal Moreaux (2009) author of Naissance, vie et mort des cimetières.

5 what is pando?

Our cities are progressing into the O u r g r e e n b u r i a l p r o ce s s future, and we believe the death care conserves natural resources, industry must change as well. reduces toxic pollutants, protects water and soil quality, and Our goal is to make “green,” natural increases green space. burials an appealing and accepted alternative to modern burials We are devoted to providing clear involving coﬀins and tombs. We information about our sustainable envision the evolution of urban options, and will work diligently to cemeteries into green landscapes. oﬀer sustainable options for individuals to choose how to Pando is motivated to raise commemorate their life. awareness for the environmental, economic, and societal benefits of A green burial celebrates life, both for natural burials for individuals, individuals choosing a natural burial cemeteries, and cities at large. and for their loved ones.

6 Pando is a new sustainable alternative to the modern funeral home process.

7 Framing of the Issue

8 modern burial

Contemporary burial practices are Parisians will require a final resting environmentally unsustainable as place, yet there are currently only 10 they consume massive amounts of available concessions within city space within urban cemeteries. cemeteries (APUR, 2018). Parisian c e m e t e r i e s c o n ta i n 6 3 4 , 0 0 0 100,000 Modern burials, which involve concessions, which is barely twice the people will require a final resting embalming, placing the body into a number of people aged 65 and older place in Paris in next 7 years. casket, lowering the casket into a within Paris in 2012 (APUR, 2018). concrete vault, and sealing with a marble tomb, are polluting the These burials are incredibly precious open space lef in Paris, as expensive, ofen costing a family 10 each burial plot takes an average of 3 approximately 15,000 euros. Modern available concessions within city square meters. funeral homes, which provide these cemeteries (APUR, 2018) services, have made headlines about In Paris, roughly 15,000 people die their predatory business practices each year. In the next 7 years, 100,000 and artificially high prices.

9 what about cremation?

Cremation may take less space than a modern burial, but is unsustainable 300 kWh nonetheless. of energy is required to burn a Non-renewable fuels are used in body to ashes excessive quantities during the incineration process which releases toxic hot gases, mainly mercury and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

kWh Cremation rates are relatively low in 288 France compared to other European of energy is consumed by a dishwasher in a home during an countries, which makes modern entire year. burial a prevalent practice that needs to be changed.

10 32% is the cremation rate in France

This percentage is lower than other European and Asian countries, making full-body burial a prevalent problem within Paris

11 environment

I n a c i t y p l a g u e d b y r i s i n g Apart from the tree cover along the temperatures resulting from the pathways, the ground is entirely Urban Heat Island eﬀect and poor air consumed by marble tombs. The soil, quality due to particulate matter degraded by the toxic embalming 422 ha pollution, the green spaces within chemicals used for preservation in is the total area of cemeteries cemeteries create valuable islands of modern burials, is barely able to freshness within the city. Cemeteries sustain weeds or grass. In the ground constitute a vast amount of the of a 10 acre cemetery alone, enough already limited green space in Paris, formalin has leaked into the land to covering 422 square hectares of total fill a swimming pool. Furthermore, in 73 ha area, of which 73 ha is green space , dense cities, cemeteries are of green spaces in cemeteries equal to 7.3 % of all green space in underutilized as a reservoir for the city. In fact, these sites are some greenery and tranquility. In Paris, of the most biodiverse parts of Paris there are only 11.4 meters squared of due to a city ordinance ending public vegetation per inhabitant pesticide use on cemetery property. (APUR, 2018), one of the lowest areas 7 % But despite the increases in in Europe: compare this value to 27 of green spaces in Paris are cemeteries. biodiversity, these cemeteries are far meters squared in London and 45.5 from being parks. meters squared in Amsterdam.

12 funeral homes

Funeral homes hold a monopoly Although people may be interested in -tion in 1905, but many of the on burial options, therefore green alternatives to contemporary practices have not changed. The perpetuating these toxic and burial, there is not yet an alternative industry it is today does not yet oﬀer unsustainable burial practices. to the funeral home. Funeral homes access to green burial products or are called “pompes funèbres” in environmentally-friendly options. France, and emerged in the 16th This has become an issue, since it is century, originally arranging the not always aligned with the wishes of funerals of kings, queens and individuals. We seek to rethink each courtesans. It was managed by the step of the burial process in order to Church until the state-church separa- provide sustainable options.

13 sustainable development goals The United Nations Department of The targets set out by SDGs 3, 9, 11, We seek to connect people to Economics and Urban Aﬀairs projects and 12 best illustrate what we hope to funerary practices that minimize their that by 2030, 60% of the world’s accomplish with our project. environmental impact while also population will live in cities (2016). transforming cemeteries into a park- Given that most people wish to be Currently, many steps of the funeral like environment. In turn, this buried in their home city, urban process have negative environmental promotes a more sustainable, cemeteries will rapidly run out of and societal impacts. By oﬀering healthier, and resilient city able to space. With current funeral processes sustainable alternatives for each step meet the demands of a growing being unsustainable and hazardous of the funeral process, we ultimately population. to human health, it is crucial that we aim to create a green space that is rethink how society should manage accessible to all members of society. the dead.

14 Good health and well-being Sustainable cities and communities We seek to improve urban factors that By increasing greenery within affect physical and mental health, cemeteries, we seek to reimagine the such as water quality and grief space as an park-like environment recovery rates, by reforming the where communities celebrate the life modern burial process. The coffins of individuals. In the process, we and tombs in modern burials contain strive to meet SDG 11.7 by providing a toxic chemicals which degrade the community green space that is surrounding environment. This is inclusive and accessible to all especially important if the cemetery members of society. is near a source of groundwater, We are also addressing goal 11.B where heavy metals and fluids of which tackles inclusion, resource decaying bodies seep through the soil efficiency, mitigation and adaptation into a city water source. To address to climate change by broadening the mental health, we hope to support b e n e f i ts c i t i e s re ce i v e f ro m and ease families during their time of cemeteries. At the same time, greener stress by utilizing green space to cemeteries reduce particulate air allow for natural closure. These pollution and can mitigate Urban measures address SDG 3.4 and 3.9 Heat Island effect. targets.

15 Industry, innovation and Responsible consumption infrastructure and production By addressing the space and Coffins and tombstones extensively sustainability challenges of urban use mineral resources, and the burial practices, we aim to improve process of concession takeover the infrastructural resilience of cities. results in destroyed and wasted Preventing capacity challenges with marble, iron, and concrete. By the management of the dead in the switching to biodegradable materials future is vital to ensure the continued f o r c o ffi n c o n s t r u c t i o n a n d ability of cities to address additional minimizing stone tomb placement, challenges such as adjusting for w e p r o m o t e r e s p o n s i b l e climate change. We specifically are consumption within the funerary working toward target 9.4 by business. The sustainable burial upgrading cemetery infrastructure, products we source will have strict retrofitting the funerary industry to be sta n d a r d s t o p r e v e n t w a t e r more sustainable. We promote contamination. We seek to meet the resource-use efficiency and clean, target of safe chemical and waste environmental technologies and management set out by SDG 12.4 and industrial processes to reduce the minimize the negative environmental strain of current burial techniques. impacts burial practices have on surrounding resources.

16 Previous Approaches

17 historical burial trends in France

1786 19th 20th 1963 Before 500 AC 500 AC - 12th 14th - 16th

Cemeteries are As christianity Rapid death from the An enormous sanitary The catacombs Christian/ Cremation placed outside spreads black plague quickly scandal erupts when are no longer religious becomes an of city bounds to throughout overcrowds church the walls of the used as an practices acceptable create a clear Europe, cemeteries and mass “Cemetery of the ossuary and popularize the of practice within distinction cemeteries are graves of 2,000 to 3,000 Innocents” collapses certain sections style of burial we Christianity. between the attached to stacked cadavers are and decomposing are opened as a see today- living and the churches and constructed out of bodies fall into the tourist attraction Modern burial dead. used as spaces necessity. The streets. In reaction Louis for foreign involving large for commerce overcrowding of Paris XVI mandates the royalty. marble tombs. and combined with the relocation of the bodies Cremation is still socialization. central location of to the catacombs and banned by the poorly managed burial in church Christian church. cemeteries resulted in graveyards are ended widespread disease and indefinitely. sanitation challenges.

18 international trends

The UK North America France

1991: Creation of the Natural Death Center, 2005: Creation of the Green Burial Council 2014: Opening of the Souché Cemetery in “a social, entrepreneurial, educational which spreads, certifies and sets standards Niort, 1st eco-friendly cemeteries charity that gives free impartial advice on for green burials in North America. promoting green burial practices. all aspects of dying”. 2006: 1st certified Green Burial Cemetery 2016: Père Lachaise overburdened by 100 1993: 1st natural burial grounds in the (GBC). cremations beyond its recommended limit. country. 2018: more than 300 GBC operating in 41 2017: Extension of the Law Labbé that 2018: more than 260 natural cemeteries. states and 6 provinces in Canada. prohibits the use of pesticides in public spaces to cemeteries. 2035: London will run out of burial spaces. According to the Council 54% of Americans are considering green burials and 72% of 2018: Creation of Syprès, one of the first In the UK, 75% of the dead people cemeteries noticed an increased demand funeral cooperative of the country in cremated compared to 50% in Paris (+80% for eco-friendly burials. Bordeaux to oﬀer a human, aﬀordable, since 2000) atheist and eco-friendly burial planning.

19 shift in mentalities

The symbolism and representation of Many also recognize the importance funeral practices and cemeteries have of the space in which their relatives largely been influenced over time by will mourn and remember them. lifestyles and the evolution of human Current cemeteries ofen do not fulfill activities and societies. these desires, as the atmosphere they provide is not usually associated with Innovations in green burial and a joyful remembrance of life. growing awareness of sustainable death options has increased demand This shif also re-examines the way for natural cemeteries globally. we think about cemeteries as major biodiverse spaces within cities, and People have begun to question also the way people interact with traditional funeral practices and align them. the way they choose to be buried Assistens cemetery with their values in life. For many in Copenhagen these values include being closer to nature and having a smaller environmental impact even afer life.

20 natural cemeteries

Natural Cemeteries are flourishing not Cemeteries are not always organized only in the United States and the like they are in France. Residents in United Kingdom, but also in Australia, Copenhagen enjoy nature in the Canada, Germany, the Netherlands or Assistens city cemetery, which oﬀers Scandinavia. open grass and tree cover, just as Parisians relax in public parks like les With most cemeteries in London Buttes-Chaumont. currently at capacity or set to be completely full by 2020, many In these natural, eco-friendly residents are choosing natural cemeteries, tree-plantings replace cemeteries located slightly outside of traditional headstones and tombs as the city. Currently, there are now living, sustainable memorials. By more than 230 natural cemeteries in increasing plant life within the the UK with an average growth rate of cemetery, these cities create another 40 new natural cemeteries per year. public green space for its citizens.

Assistens cemetery (top), natural cemetery Souche in Niort (bottom)

21 new initiatives in France

Natural cemetery initiatives are campaign, is an initiative attempting steadily gaining traction within to spread the concept of funeral People are more and more conscious France. In 2014, a natural cemetery cooperatives across the country with of the mark they are leaving behind called Souché opened in Niort, a the ambition of bringing a new way of and I think there is a lot of potential grassy plot of land filled with art considering death. in these new models. attached to the historical cemetery. Souché has had great success When founder, Edileuza Gallet arrived -Fouquet (general manager of experimenting with new conceptions from Brazil, she was struck by the Coopérative funéraire de l’Estrie) of burial, and locals occasionally taboo surrounding death in France. picnic within the cemetery. Currently, She started by hosting forums in cafés all 75 concessions have been fulfilled known as “cafés mortels” to bring the at Souché, demonstrating great t o p i c o f d e a t h i n t o p u b l i c interest in green burials. Mayors, conversations in a more natural, students, and people interested in liberated and spontaneous way. She being buried there are calling and is now with an entire team preparing visiting from all around the country. the launch of a funeral cooperative In France, Syprès, a hybrid between a next September. funeral cooperative and awareness

22 biodiversity in Parisian cemeteries The city of Paris is undertaking to sod, installing vegetalized several initiatives to preserve and columbariums for cremated remains, foster biodiversity in cemeteries adding birdhouses to trees, and within the city and in the suburbs. To planting native grasses to combat jumpstart this initiative, cemeteries invasive species. are now managed as green spaces under the jurisdiction of the city’s In addition, the city is undertaking an Parks Department. In 2015, the policy experimental project to create a more Labbé was passed, which prohibits natural and eco-friendly burial the use of pesticides in all Parisian division within the Ivry cemetery. Ivry cemeteries, specifically phytosanitary and other suburban cemeteries are products, to allow natural grasses to more spacious and generally greener return to the area. than inter-euros cemeteries, and the city sees great potential for increases Other pilot projects include in eco-friendly practices in these converting the current tarmac alleys locations. Columbarium in Vaugirard cemetery

23 existing green burial products

Bios Urn Capsula Mundi Nidoo

These biodegradable urns, with their Capsula Mundi is an innovative Nidoo designs biodegradable coffins innovative design, sprout a tree of design proposal for growing a tree made out of recycled newspaper for choice from the ashes of a loved one. from the entire body within a capsule. pets. When buried, the coffins sprout Most people choosing these urns Their design has been featured in flowers or a tree, “creating a place of plant them in a local nature area, but Vogue and seeks to reimagine the collection and remembrance to some are planted in natural quality of life and legacy for h o n o r t h e m e m o r y o f t h e cemeteries in the UK. A new indoor individuals. They envision cemeteries animals” (Nidoo 2018). The coffins are pot design called the Bios Incube uses changing from grey landscapes into manufactured and constructed in sensors to monitor the growth of the dynamic forests. France. tree. 24 interview - Bios Urn

Do you find that there are still Do you see potential for market and stigmas surrounding alternative public interest in France? burial methods? Yes, we think there are always stigmas Yes, in France there are many around death and burial in general - interested as well, however French but we feel things are changing and laws can be a bit stricter in terms of people are becoming more open and planting which is why many may not accepting to alternative burial be inclined to research alternative methods, such as the Bios Urn. We burials. But yes, in general Europe is also feel this is largely in part to the also growing in green burials! internet, social media and consumers realizing the ability to make choices from themselves.

25 interview - Capsula Mundi

Do you see any trends in the green Do you see potential for these burial market? Is demand growing? capsules to be planted in city Have you seen increased acceptance cemeteries or only in natural in Italy, and do you see potential for landscapes? public interest in France?

People are very into this new way of We propose sacred groves, woods thinking. Awareness on bio theme is memory. The essence of the tree to now at his height so we are. We have be planted is chosen by the deceased lots of order that oblige us to set up a while he/she is still alive and remains NewCo fully committed to support as a physical presence on earth afer the demand. We have the help of his/her death. We hope that the green many supporters. In France, for cemeteries can be near the cities example some people launched a because this precious legacy is the petition (during 2015) to the attention gif that the person goes to the of the minister Bernard Cazeneuve to community and to the future. promote green burial in their country.

26 alternatives to cremation

Promession Alkaline Hydrolysis Developed as a more environmentally Also known as “green cremation,”the friendly process than cremation, alkaline hydrolysis process dissolves promession creates similar remains the body by adding a potassium to ashes by freezing the body in liquid hydroxide solution to a vessel nitrogen at -19 °C. containing heated water.

Afer the body is crystallized, vibration The water reaches 150 °C and the breaks it into particles which are process takes 60-90 minutes. The freeze dried. bones are then rinsed for 90 minutes at 120°C, and are then crushed into a The remains are approximately 30% fine powder to keep (Kremer, 2017). of the original body weight, and toxic These methods, although more metals are filtered out of the powder sustainable, are not yet very to prevent contamination if placed in accessible as alternatives to the earth (Promessa, 2014). cremation.

27 the city’s vision for cemeteries

Our long term vision is in line with the visualizations for the future of cemeteries created by the city of Paris and APUR. APUR reported on the evolution of cemeteries: their place in the city of Paris, their integration in political decisions on urban sustainable development, as well as their transformation to meet the shifs in funerary practices. These graphics demonstrate the transition of cemeteries from mineral landscapes to green spaces with increased biodiversity.

Cemeteries, by their unchangeable nature in terms of the space they occupy within a city, make it necessary to think of them as levers of improvement to existing urban challenges and accompaniment of urban mutations around them (APUR 2010).

28 our long term vision

29 Proposed Solution

30 burial process

1. the coﬀin 2. the embalming 3. the concession 4. the tomb 5. the burial 6. the cost

31 the coffin Traditional caskets are made out of polished wood or metal, and are extremely resource intensive. In France, 100,000 cubic meters of 100,000 wood are used annually to cubic meters of wood construct caskets, which roughly used each year in France represents an entire forest. In Paris, approximately enough metal is used each year in caskets to rebuild the Eiﬀel Tower three times over. 500 houses can be constructed out of this amount of wood

32 we propose

Adapting the Nidoo coffin, initially Natural, biodegradable woven coffins, designed for animals, to humans. The made from sustainable willow, caskets are molded using cellulose bamboo or seagrass. This offers a from recycled newspaper fibers; this sustainable yet beautiful alternative casket is biodegradable, light and to traditional wood and metal solid. caskets.

Adapted design for full-body burials

33 the embalming Embalming products are mainly composed of a formaldehyde solution which is incredibly toxic and polluting. These substances also have carcinogenic eﬀects, leading to higher cancer risk for 800,000 exposed funeral workers. gallons of these embalming chemicals During the embalming process, used annually leach into untreated funeral waste containing the ground and risk groundwater these chemicals leaks directly into contamination the sewage system and the municipal water supply.

34 we propose

Ecological embalming products only when needed: safe, eﬀective, non- toxic and non-hazardous alternative based on a complex mix of essential plant-based oils.

35 the

Concessions are generally rented out concession for periods of 10, 30, and 50 years. However, body decomposition occurs in less time than these rentals, delaying concession renewal. Some are even rented out Very few concessions are indefinitely. When the payment period ends, the family of the available within Paris deceased is contacted. If they do not cemeteries. claim the concession within 3 years, it is reclaimed by the Mairie of Paris. During renewal, the body debris are placed into a communal ossuary, the tomb is destroyed, and the remaining resources are disposed.

36 we propose

A web platform with access to essential information regarding concession availability. Families will be able to search for the number of Easy access to essential concessions available in traditional c e m e t e r i e s ( i n c l u d i n g t h e information, a certification concessions in the process of being for cemeteries allowing reclaimed by the Mairie of Paris) that will allow a green burial. green burials.

The information on the number of spaces open in cemeteries approved by our “Pando Certification” will also be available.

37 the

907kilograms tomb of concrete are used in one burial vault.

In the United States, 1.6 million tons of reinforced concrete and 14,000 tons of steel are required annually to construct burial vaults and industrial vacuum-sealed casket bunkers. In France, the tombstone is an extremely expensive element of a funeral, costing a family anywhere from 3,000€ to 10,000€.

38 Acer Japonicum we propose Spring Summer Autumn Winter

Planting non-invasive species of trees, bushes, or wildflowers that are adapted to the Parisian climate, on Rhododendron Praecox top of the gravesite in the cemetery. Spring Summer Autumn Winter We also plan on using the rich compost made in Paris by our partner Les Alchimistes as the soil of cemeteries has been highly damaged by years of pesticide use. Wildflowers

Spring Summer Autumn Winter

39 the burial The occasionally predator y business practices of funeral homes in conjunction with the overall high cost of the funeral has created a funeral service which is not entirely designed to help families reach a peaceful closure. Instead, it has become an industry that attempts to profit off of this difficult time. The representation of a loved one’s final resting place is currently far removed from nature, creating a cold, distant effect.

40 we propose

A service that provides a more meaningful and peaceful burial process. By planting a tree, a parallel is established between death and new life.

The burial ceremony would include the family planting the tree, embodying the rebirth of their loved one, and hopefully provide more closure.

41 the

Funeral parlors offer limited options to grieving families, and ofen artificially raise prices and convince cost vulnerable people to purchase add- ons for the sake of their loved one. The entire process is not transparent and can be exploitative. 7,000€ average cost for the burial We are committed to offering our and the concession in Paris ser vices at a minimal price, responding to the sensitive needs of the family. The prices of our services would be greatly reduced for the Estimated overall cost for a coffin, the embalming process, and green burial would be ~ 50% the construction of the tomb. less expensive Furthermore, we hope to create a service that would be deductible from taxes.

42 the

In addition to linking services to certification families to allow them to choose a more sustainable funerary process, Meeting our standards: we will oﬀer a “Pando Certification” to • Reduction of carbon footprint the products that we consider environmentally-friendly. The • Protection of worker health certification will also be given out to • Enhancement of biodiversity cemeteries undertaking initiatives to pando move towards natural burials. • Protection of natural habitats

• Conservation of natural resources Pando certified products and cemeteries will thus be guarantees of • Guarantee of just pricing quality and sustainability. We hope by introducing this certification, it will push companies and cemeteries to further invest in these practices.

43 Choose Your Path

Future Embalming Partner the

Burial Cremation website Coﬀin Coﬀin The main way Pando would connect individuals to our sustainable burial

Biodegradable Future Biodegradable Biodegradable partners is through our website, Future Biodegradable Nidoo Nidoo Partner Woven Coffin New Design Coffin Partner Woven Coffin New Design Coffin ensuring easy-access to information anywhere at anytime. Cemetery Choice Cemetery Choice

A flowchart on the opening page will

Traditional Natural Traditional Natural allow for information to be tailored to Cemetery Cemetery Cemetery Cemetery an individual’s preferences. At the

Souché Natural Souché Natural very end, a list of companies that oﬀer Cemetery Cemetery “Pando approved” services based on Jardin du Concession Souvenir our consumer’s preferences will be Sprout a Tree Spread shown. Customers can also find open or Bush Wildflowers Sprout a Tree Spread concessions in nearby cemeteries Wildflowers Future Future or Bush approved by the Pando certification. Partner Partner Future Future Partner Partner 44 Biological Inspiration

45 Our name Pando meaning “I spread” in Latin, comes from the Pando Aspen grove in Utah.

The network formed by Aspen tree roots makes the Pando grove the largest organism in the world, and one of the oldest.

These root connections inspired us to investigate the underground Mycorrhizal Network, which enables the symbiotic relationship between Aspens.

46 the mycorrhizal network

Our inspiration comes from the Aspen trees are thus not only mycorrhizal network, a mutualistic individuals, but part of a much larger relationship between plants and community, able to interact and help fungi. This network allows the each other survive. interconnected roots of an aspen Moreover, an astonishing aspect of grove to communicate and function this network is the capacity for trees as one organism. In this mutualistic in a forest to nourish the stem of a relationship, the plants provide fungi felled tree for centuries afer it was cut with nourishment in the form of down by feeding it nutrients, thus carbohydrates, and the fungi provide keeping a supposedly dead tree alive. plants with nutrients like phosphorus, carbon and nitrogen, in addition to Around 90% of land plants are in water, through their mycelia. This mutually beneficial relationship relationship improves the resilience with fungi. of the grove as a whole.

47 Fungi is the Earth’s natural internet -Paul Stamets, mycologist

48 Families Partners

S Y P R È S Just like this biological social network l’alternative funéraire enables communication, provides feedback, and helps the diﬀerent species adapt, we are proposing an alternative multi-phase service through the development of a website. Thus, we are creating a network able to link individuals to our partners specializing in each of the Cemeteries burial phases.

By proposing a natural burial and the plantation of a tree or wildflowers instead of a marble tombstone, the recently deceased lives on through a natural memorial.

49 Business Plan

50 We provide sustainable burial alternatives and easy access to information to individuals planning their burial. Through helpful decision-making tools on our website, individuals will be linked to our partners providing each of the services associated to the diﬀerent steps of the burial process. Unlike traditional funerary homes, we oﬀer options that best respond to the needs of individuals and which are environmentally sustainable, at a significantly lower cost.

51 who benefits

Local Communities Grieving Families Cemetery Owners

By providing access to sustainable When a loved one passes away, At the end of the concession rentals, burials, the amount of green space families generally have little time to cemeteries need to remove the bones cemeteries will increase due to decide what to do. Currently, from a grave and place them into an decreases in the use of headstones morticians in Paris hold a monopoly ossuary. This is ofen a time and coﬀins. Naturally decomposing over the entire process from consuming and costly process that bodies, or the spreading of ashes, will embalmment to burial. The families’ also involves the destruction of the provide nutrients to plant life. As a grief is typically taken advantage of, tomb itself. Sustainable burials result, local communities will gain a and they are ofen sold products and completely eliminates the need to new biodiverse green space in the services they do not need at very high destroy tombs and remove the bones middle of the city, with all of its health prices. Since our business model from the ground since there is not a benefits. does not depend upon making sales stone marker at the site of the to customers, we can provide the concession. same service as morticians at lower costs while consoling families every step of the way.

52 business timeline

Aug 2018 - Jan 2019 Aug 2019 - Oct 2019 Oct 2019 - Dec 2019 Jan 2020 2020 - 2021

Communicate with Work with graphic Test the website and Launch website and Obtain a physical key partners and designer and user interactive decision- deploy oﬀice space refine our interface sofware making flowchart. communication depending on initial relationship. Partner engineers to Adjust website strategy and revenue success with hospital and prototype website features based on awareness campaign, nursing homes to user feedback and utilizing partners create awareness performance analytics established previously campaign. Recruit a (including in person website developer. sessions, online feedback forms, search engine hits)

53 resources and funding

We would need to hire a professional web Our awareness campaign would need The creation of a physical office space developer to build and maintain our funds to target advertisements online to would not only require funds, but also the website. We currently have a quote for local communities so that they can find expertise of an interior designer to make 2000 euros to build our website, and 80 out more about our services, as well as it comforting to grieving families. euros per hour to make changes. rent out cafés to hold open forum Customer service representatives would Our website would also serve as our main sessions that open up conversations also receive training to appropriately source of funding. Sustainable burial about sustainable burials. Around 5,000 address customers in grief while they aid companies would pay to have their euros is necessary to launch an effective in planning their funeral. services displayed on our website, and Google Adword publicity campaign. As We would also offer burial planning we would charge a commission for each greater awareness is raised, a greater ser vices for families, generating click from our website that redirects to number of users would visit our website, commission revenue, while also meeting their page. The average cost per click in turning the money spent on advertising the needs of the family. France is 0.12 euros. Assuming 15,000 and hosting forums into an investment. deaths per year in Paris and each death resulting in 3 clicks on our website for comparison of services displayed, we expect to make 5,400 euros per year from Paris alone.

54 key partners

The City & cemeteries Sylvain Ecole

Providers of biodegradable coﬀins Arthur Trichelieu pando Our Providers of Contacts the compost Alexandre Guilluy

Nursing and retirement Dr. C. Petitjean homes, palliative care

55 they support us!

“Social and societal evolutions confirm a need for change in the planning of burials and the consideration of death. The existing model does not correspond anymore to people’s expectations in a constantly evolving society. However, the fragility of people confronted with death is an obstacle in getting out of the beaten path. Even if they aspire for something diﬀerent, their first need is reassurance. This is the challenge that pushes us everyday to act…

Edileuza Gallet Congratulations Ella, Rowen, Lucie and Josie for this beautiful initiative!” Syprès

“The mission of Nidoo is to help pet owners by oﬀering them memorial space that symbolizes a new life for their animal. Death is associated with eternity, yet culturally in France, this also goes with mineral cemeteries, as opposed to northern countries more inclined to associate eternity to the natural world. It is crucial to find ways to green our ever growing cities to make them less concrete and enable city dwellers to breathe both literally and figuratively. Cemeteries could have that role by being more open to the city, by greening abandoned concessions. They could become refreshing, calming thoroughfares while staying grieving places. Arthur Trichelieu Nidoo Mentalities can change if the opportunity is given to them!”

“The goal of the Alchimistes is to participate to the coming back of Nature in the city. We are working on the quality of the soils by making a 100% rich natural compost made of the city’s food waste. Cemeteries are beautiful urban sites where Nature can flourish and where we can participate in recreating bio-diversity. We would be more than happy to see our compost enabling the greening of cemeteries !”

Alexandre Guilluy Les Alchimistes

56 ils nous soutiennent!

« Les évolutions sociales et sociétales confirment un besoin de changement de regard sur l'organisation des funérailles et la place de la mort. Le modèle existant ne correspond plus aux attentes d'une société qui évolue. Cependant, la fragilité éprouvée par les personnes confrontées à la mort est un frein pour oser sortir des sentiers battus. Même si elles aspirent à autre chose, elles ont d'abord besoin d'être rassurées. C'est ce défi que nous pousse aujourd'hui à agir...

Edileuza Gallet Bravo Ella, Rowen, Lucie et Josie pour cette belle initiative! » Syprès

« Nidoo a pour mission d'accompagner les propriétaires d'animaux en leur apportant un lieu de mémoire symbolisant la nouvelle vie, végétale, de leur animal.La mort est associée à l'éternité, hors, culturellement, en France, cette immuabilité est minérale. Contrairement aux pays nordiques plus emprunts à associer l'éternité au végétal. Cela étant, il est indispensable de végétaliser les villes, toujours plus "métropole", afin de les rendre plus vertes, moins bétonnées et ainsi faire respirer le citadin, au sens propre comme au figuré. Les cimetières pourraient remplir ce rôle en s'ouvrant plus et en végétalisant les concessions abandonnées. Ils deviendraient un lieu de passage, rafraichissants, apaisants, tout en remplissants leur rôle de lieu de recueil. Arthur Trichelieu Nidoo Les mentalités peuvent changer si l'opportunité leur est oﬀerte! »

« L’enjeux des Alchimistes est de participer au retour de la nature en Ville. Nous travaillons sur la qualité des sols en fabricant un amendement 100% naturel, riche et issu des déchets alimentaires urbains. Les cimetières sont de très beaux sites urbains où la nature peut s’épanouir et où nous pouvons participer à recréer de la bio-diversité. Nous serions très heureux que notre compost favorise la végétalisation des cimetières ! »

Alexandre Guilluy Les Alchimistes

57 Assessment Plan

58 success indicators

Green and less costly funerals Website visits and interactions Positive feedback in small focus implemented through our platform groups

The number of green burials taking Knowing how many people visit our For a project like ours, creating place in Parisian cemeteries will be website and complete our flowchart human contact is essential. Being o u r m a i n s u cce s s i n d i cato r. will help us have an idea of the able to gain feedback and insight into Comparing their cost to traditional success of our implemented project. our service proposal in an interactive funeral cost will also prove our This will be done by keeping track of setting would be one of the best ways method to be more cost-eﬀective traﬀic flow per month. to assess the interest it could generate.

59 Pando’s goal is to spread greenery, sustainability, and a diﬀerent perspective on death. Spread the word. Do not stand at my grave and weep I am not there. I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning's hush I am the swif uplifing rush Of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the sof stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry; I am not there. I did not die.

~Mary Elizabeth Frye

61 references

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