LEADERSHIP THROUGH
HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
HOW CAN FUNERAL COMPANIES FULFIL THE UN’S SDGS?
By Katarzyna Supa, funeral innovation researcher, editor-in-chief THANOS magazine
elcome 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
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No. 111 – AUTUMN 2025 | THANOS MAGAZINE
SUSTAINABILITY