FUNERAL POVERTY
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 a 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 a 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
26
No. 110 – SUMMER 2025 | THANOS MAGAZINE
SUSTAINABILITY