For every funeral, we commit to offset one tonne of CO₂
What does one tonne of CO₂ equal?
Driving 4,500 kilometres in an average petrol car
The electrical energy used by an average household over 6 weeks
A round-trip flight between Melbourne and Sydney for two people
50 trees planted every year
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We’re making a difference
We continually enhance our practices, seeking new ways to reduce our impact while supporting our community.
Ethical flowers
The global flower industry often conceals significant environmental and ethical concerns. Many flowers sold in Australia are imported from countries like Kenya, where workers often earn less than the minimum wage, and the environmental impact of transporting these blooms is substantial.
Non toxic and no plastic
Our floral arrangements adhere to a strict policy of using no plastic or toxic materials. We offer hand-tied options that serve as natural alternatives to traditional casket sheaths, eliminating the need for plastic bases or toxic foam.
Locally sourced
We maintain a local-only sourcing policy, avoiding imports to reduce carbon emissions and to align with our ethical stance against the inequalities found in some international flower markets. By choosing local flowers, we support Australian growers and avoid contributing to the exploitation of workers in countries like Kenya.
Seasonal & custom
Families can choose floral themes, and our florist will curate arrangements from local, seasonal blooms. This approach supports Australian growers and reduces pesticide exposure through Australia’s strict import standards.
Office sharing
We share office spaces around Melbourne, reducing travel times and energy consumption, and allowing families easy access via public transport or bike.
Digital services
We reduce printing through digital alternatives for memorial books, order of service booklets, and tribute materials. We offer: Online tributes replace physical cards and memorial books. Digital signatures for efficiency and reduced paper use.
Eco-friendly printing
When printing is necessary, we use recycled paper, vegetable inks, and avoid plastic or toxic materials.
Live streams
We offer live-streaming options at no additional profit, allowing distant family and friends to join remotely, reducing travel needs and the carbon footprint associated with travel.
Trace net-zero program
Every service leaves a footprint. Through Trace, we measure and offset it—supporting reforestation and clean energy projects. It’s one more way we honour life while protecting the planet.
Responsible Coffin Sourcing
Each coffin uses, on average, half to one tree. Our goal is to not just replace this but exceed it tenfold by planting trees, ensuring reforestation that far surpasses our usage.
We minimise plastic in our coffins, opting instead for environmentally friendly materials made from vegetable extracts that naturally break down over time.
Families may also choose to support this mission by purchasing additional trees in memory of their loved one through the tribute page.
Fleet and Transportation
Hybrid Vehicles: We are investing in hybrid vehicles to reduce fossil fuel use.
Fleet Maintenance: Regular upkeep of vehicles ensures they operate efficiently, minimising emissions.
Carpooling: Our staff travel together whenever possible, reducing the number of vehicles on the road and minimising our carbon footprint.
Community and Innovation
Backed by deep expertise, Candour is committed to ongoing improvement and innovation in sustainable funeral practices. We will continue to introduce solutions that help us serve families responsibly and reduce our environmental impact.
Sustainable burial options
Natural burials are a more earth-conscious decision, offering families a way to return to the earth with minimal environmental impact. At Candour, we’re proud to support families in making this meaningful choice for their loved ones.
A natural burial
- Single burial plots with shallower graves (usually around five feet) to allow the body to return to the earth naturally. Unlike traditional graves, which can fit multiple burials, a natural burial plot is reserved for one person only.
- Biodegradable coffins or shrouds, without synthetic or metal materials.
- No embalming chemicals, keeping your loved one as natural as possible.
- Natural grave markers, such as a simple stone or GPS coordinates, in place of traditional headstones.
- Burial grounds are often maintained as nature reserves or parklands, promoting the regeneration of local flora and fauna.
Cemeteries offering natural burials
- Bunurong Memorial Park – In the southeast of Melbourne, Bunurong provides natural burial services.
- Lilydale Memorial Park – Located in the Yarra Ranges, Lilydale offers a natural burial area.
- Melbourne General Cemetery – Some sections are dedicated to environmentally conscious burials.
- Gisborne Cemetery – Located in the Macedon Ranges, Gisborne offers natural burial options.
- Tarraville Cemetery – A rural option in Gippsland, known for its peaceful and natural burial areas.
- Kurweeton Road Cemetery (Upright Burials) – The only stand-up burial option in Victoria, located in Camperdown.
Advantages of a stand up burial
- Efficient land use: Vertical burials occupy less ground space than traditional graves, meaning more burials can be accommodated in the same area, conserving land.
- Minimal soil disturbance: Stand-up graves are dug using an auger, which disturbs much less soil compared to traditional horizontal burials. This helps preserve the natural landscape.
- Biodegradable materials: Bodies are placed in biodegradable shrouds, which naturally decompose without introducing synthetic materials or embalming chemicals into the soil.
- Carbon offsetting: For each burial, a tree is planted at nearby Mount Elephant. This initiative helps offset any emissions from the burial process and supports local habitat restoration.
Cemeteries offering stand up burials
- Kurweeton Road Cemetery in Camperdown Victoria
Our promise to the community
To uphold our commitment to environmentally responsible options, we absorb additional costs ourselves, prioritising the community's needs without passing on these costs to families. Instead, we reduce our profit margins to make sustainability more accessible for everyone.
Get in touch
We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to provide assistance and support.
