How can funeral companies fulfil the UN’s SDGs?

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

The funeral industry is evolving, embracing new initiatives to enhance service quality, support grieving families, and contribute to a more sustainable future. From improving employee well-being to reducing environmental impact, funeral companies are redefining their role in society—going beyond providing services to making a meaningful difference.
With this article, we launch a new series in THANOS magazine, exploring the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the lens of the funeral sector. Our aim? To inspire, inform, and showcase real-world examples of how funeral businesses can contribute to a better world.
In this issue, we dive into Goal 1: End Poverty in All Its Forms Everywhere and Goal 2: Zero Hunger - two challenges that, perhaps surprisingly, intersect with the funeral industry in profound ways.

The Current State of Poverty and Hunger

Global efforts to eradicate extreme poverty have been severely disrupted in recent years. The COVID-19 pandemic, economic shocks, and geopolitical crises from 2020 to 2022 reversed decades of progress, pushing 712 million people - 9% of the world's population - into extreme poverty by 2022. If current trends continue, 590 million people (6.9% of the world’s population) will still be living in extreme poverty by 2030, making the goal of its complete eradication increasingly difficult.

But poverty is not just about financial hardship - it often means hunger and malnutrition as well. In 2022, 1 in 10 people worldwide faced hunger, while 2.4 billion experienced food insecurity. Rising food prices due to conflicts and supply chain disruptions have only worsened the situation, disproportionately affecting low-income families. To combat this, global efforts have focused on ensuring access to essential resources, strengthening social safety nets, and improving food systems to increase resilience, equity, and sustainability.

Goal 1, concerning the eradication of poverty in all its forms, is a fundamental global challenge aimed at improving the quality of life for billions of people around the world. Poverty is not only a lack of financial resources but also limited access to basic services such as education, healthcare, and housing. It also includes food insecurity and hunger. Goal 1 focuses on eliminating extreme poverty, defined as living on less than $1.25 per day, and ensuring equal access to basic economic resources and services for all people. As part of this goal, the United Nations seeks to strengthen social protection systems, support the most vulnerable social groups, and build resilience against natural disasters and economic shocks. The aim is to emphasize that people living in poverty are an integral part of society.

Goal 2 focuses on eliminating hunger by ensuring that all people, especially the poorest, have access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food year-round. The UN aims to improve agriculture, increase food production efficiency, and support small-scale farmers and local communities to ensure food supply stability and reduce waste. This goal also highlights the need to strengthen resilience to climate change and reduce inequalities in food access.

How Can Funeral Businesses Make a Difference in Poverty and Hunger?

While the funeral industry may seem distant from these issues, it can actually play an important role in supporting communities struggling with poverty and hunger. Beyond providing dignified funerals for those in need, funeral businesses can contribute by offering affordable services, supporting grieving families facing financial distress, and partnering with local organizations to address food insecurity. Whether through direct community involvement, charity programs, or employment opportunities for those in need, the industry has the power to make a real difference in the fight against poverty and hunger.

Discover some inspiring examples when reading the summer issue of THANOS magazine - you can read online at pages 26-27