NH funeral service providers partner to ‘go green’ by aiding clean water effort

MANCHESTER, NH – Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium and  The Cremation Society of New Hampshire are offsetting 100 percent of the carbon footprint from their more than 2,000 annual cremations by donating to several domestic and global projects that reduce damaging emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2).

Phaneuf and the Cremation Society of New Hampshire are currently aiding a clean water effort in Ethiopia as part of the carbon offsetting. The donations will help provide more than 6 million gallons of filtered water to the Sidama Zone.

Phaneuf is the first funeral home in New Hampshire and Vermont to offset CO2 by assisting projects such as the clean water effort. In addition, Phaneuf is the sole funeral home in both states on the Green Burial Council.

“This is a win-win situation. By offsetting our own carbon footprint, we can help save lives,” said Buddy Phaneuf, President of Phaneuf Funeral Homes & Crematorium. “Going green is a priority for Phaneuf and The Cremation Society. We are aware that a cremation uses natural gas and has CO2 emissions, and we want to counteract that effect on the environment and work towards becoming carbon neutral.”

Cremation services continue to grow in the U.S., and while the process is less damaging to the environment than a full-service burial, cremation does have a carbon footprint. NativeEnergy of Burlington, VT, facilitates carbon footprint offsetting via several projects that benefit the environment and those in need of clean water and energy, including the clean water project in Ethiopia.

In Ethiopia’s Sidama Zone, 75 percent of the population consumes unfiltered water from rivers, lakes and rain pits, which can cause deadly typhoid and diarrhea. Phaneuf’s contribution to NativeEnergy adds a water filtration system to the region as well as community-based training in proper sanitation and hygiene practices.

While the Sidama Zone is known for its coffee production, it has little access to sanitation resources for its 8,500-plus people.

“It’s easy to take clean water for granted, but there are millions of people in the world without access to safe, drinkable water,” Buddy Phaneuf said.

About Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium

Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium has been serving the public since 1906 and is one of the oldest continually-owned family funeral homes in New Hampshire. Phaneuf is the largest provider of funeral services in NH, and operates five full service funeral homes, three crematories, two non-denominational chapels and a cremation society. An award-winning establishment, in 2017 Phaneuf received the Corporate LiveWire Innovation & Excellence Global Award for its innovation in the way they conduct business and client-focused leadership. In 2016, Phaneuf was named one of the Top Family Businesses in NH by Business NH Magazine and was the recipient of the Achievement of Excellence award by the Granite State Quality Council.

About Cremation Society of NH

Incorporated in 1995 and affiliated with Phaneuf Funeral Homes, which has roots in funeral service since 1906, The Cremation Society of New Hampshire is the only business in the state dedicated solely to promoting cremation. Their main location is 243 Hanover Street, Manchester, NH, with additional locations in Boscawen, Littleton, Hampton, NH, and Brattleboro, VT.