Contrary to what one might think of the funeral industry in the world, the business of death is one of the most innovative; At an international level, there are trend research projects, development of sustainable technologies, and even summits where the main funeral businesses meet.
To measure the profitability of this business, only in Mexico, during 2021 a record of 1 million 117,167 general deaths, according to the INEGI Mortality Index. Followed by 2020 with 1 million 86,743 general deaths, which represents almost 30% more than in the previous five years, this is directly related to the pandemic that has emerged in recent years.
The National Survey of Funeral Agencies shows, in this context, that Mexicans have an offer of 4,178 funeral service companies of which only 9.3% declared to implement changes in the way they provide their services and watch over the bodies of deaths resulting from the pandemic. However, 48.02% of them claimed a decrease in total income due to service negotiations, lack of supplies, among other variables.
Speaking of costs, one of the cheapest offers open to the public continues to be the IMSS and the ISSSTE with a base cost of around 5,999 Mexican pesos, does not include a casket, cremation or urn; but the scenario is not the same for the private initiative that is around 17,900 to which we must add the ballot box and other premium services.
Currently cremation and burial are the most popular services, but as mentioned above, the industry is not only limited to cemeteries and funeral homes, there are also alternative services in the world that have already reached Mexico.
a funerary forest
In the city of Puebla there is Eternal Forest, the first funeral forest in Latin America that provides sustainable burial options, niches in the middle of nature, thanatology services and therapies among other alternatives to offer families a new way to honor and remember their loved ones after their departure within the forest. The Eternal Forest base service sees from 23,840 pesos Mexicans.
In addition to anticipating the most inevitable thing in life, which is death, it is important to continue leading a life consistent with what we leave behind, if a person who has always been committed to the environment or even to mental health, is a relief in life that there are more options to die than the traditional ones.
Diego Gómez de Alvear, founder of Eternal Forest.
Although the number of deaths overall is expected to be lower by the end of 2022, it is a priority to consider adopting new options for eternal rest.
Eternal Forest, in addition to representing an air lung for the city of Puebla with its 125,000 square meters of land, has been designated as a place to house the ashes of our loved ones in the roots of its trees so that we can lovingly remember them. this thanks to the fact that the spaces are surrounded by nature. In addition, this model helps to preserve the environment.
The proposal of this forest is to offer both for those who have left, and for those who remain, an embrace of nature, where mourning acquires different nuances by being surrounded by life.
The services offered
There are different alternatives to say goodbye to a loved one in Eternal Forest. The ashes of the loved one can be integrated into the forest through water or land.
- Family tree. The ashes are buried in a biodegradable urn planting a young tree on them, celebrating memory through life.
- Bioaqua. The ashes are deposited in a beautiful body of water in the heart of the forest which nourishes and gives life to the forest.
- Bosque Eterno also has traditional services such as burial either shelter of ashes in nicheswhich are immersed in the heart of the forest in an intimate space surrounded by water and life.
- Pets. There is a special place for pets which can join the forest commemorating their lives and thanking them for the time they shared with us.
- Tributes and accompaniment. Through releases of white doves, releases of butterflies, thanatological therapies, forest baths and many other services, Bosque Eterno accompanies and helps the family in the grieving process, taking advantage of the peace that nature gives, preserving the memory and the loving bond with our loved ones.
Day of the Dead Festival
Eternal Forest will honor the memory of those who no longer inhabit the earthly plane, with activities
for the whole family such as meditations, sound therapy and talks with thanatologists. The children
they will be able to enjoy dynamics such as storytelling, face-painting and walk through the forest to
adorn it with your memories.
The festival will take place from October 30 to November 2.
Editorial Team The editorial team of EMPRENDEDOR.com, which for more than 27 years has worked to promote entrepreneurship.