Bordeaux : une coopérative propose une mort écologique
By Writing Bordeaux
Published on
“Innovating in the domain of death”, here is the curious challenge that Edileuza Pebble psychoanalyst and her husband Olivier, an anthropologist by training, by opening the funeral cooperative Sypresin 2019, at Bordeaux (Gironde).
The idea of this structure, supported by the region New Aquitaine and supported by two hundred members, is to offer secular burials and ecological, within an associative framework. “Death is not a business”, proclaims the founder.
Propose a funeral alternative
In a very concentrated market – two leading groups occupy almost the entire funeral sector, OGF and Funecap – the small structure which wants to be a link in thesocial and solidarity economyprides itself on offering “different burials”.
On the green side first. Syprès reveal itself by offering only eco-certified products : local wooden coffins, unvarnished, unpadded or with organic cotton and even cardboard. Seasonal cut flowers or plants. And the granite of the tombstones, when it is desired by the family, comes from France not from China.
And it is far from being a detail in view of the greenhouse gas emissions generated by a burial, thata study estimates to 833 kg of CO2. Between the transport of the coffin wood, the construction of the concrete vaults… the burial is almost equivalent to a round trip Paris-New York by plane.
Another source of pollution: embalming treatments, which consist of replacing the blood of a deceased person with formaldehyde, are practiced here at a minimum. Because this liquid, which infiltrates, after the burial of the body, in the grounds and the water tables, is listed among the known carcinogens.
More human support
The idea of offering secular support also motivated the creation of this cooperative. “Nothing existed apart from religious burials,” comments Edileuza.
To deal with it, she chose to put on the costume of “celebrant”, after having followed a training in secular rite. And she called on Yann, a celebrating provider. Both are involved in the organization phase of the ceremony and the accompaniment of loved ones until the incineration or theburial.
“Unlike traditional funeral directors, we gave, after the first meeting with the family, a second appointment during which we worked together on the preparation of the ceremony”.
A moment of exchanges which also makes it possible to celebrate collecting the material necessary for the writing of a personalized tribute explains Yann: “we take time to exchange with relatives, to discover the deceased. It’s not something you can do in twenty minutes.
Music, dance, tags on the coffins… This gives rise to different forms of burial, sometimes unexpected. “I remember a ceremony where all the guests were dressed up as birds. They also asked me to come dressed in bright colors,” recalls the celebrant.
For the four to six monthly funerals, the three employees of the structure grant themselves on average three times more time than in traditional funeral companies, “while remaining in a classic price range”, continues Edileuza.
Break the taboo of death
Upon her arrival in France, this Brazilian by birth was surprised by the taboo that reigns around death. “I only heard about it behind the door of my office”, regrets the one who is also a psychoanalyst: “it feels good to talk about it, it is even essential for the work of mourning”.
Also, after running the deadly cafes (times for thematic discussions in cafés and restaurants), it added this prerogative to the activity of the cooperative.
It is Pauline, engineer in research and innovation, and employee of the structure, who takes care of this heavy task, by initiating projects in institutions (Ehpad, children’s home, school, college…). “The idea being not only to talk about it, but also to take another look at death and the care of the deceased,” says Edileuza.
A social and supportive network
By word of mouth, the concept is spreading in France. 25 funeral cooperatives are under study. Five have already been mounted.
With Syprès, they form a network where mutual aid is essential. A person is now in charge of leading this network and supporting project leaders.
In New Aquitaine alone, in Bayonne and Poitiers, two new cooperatives based on the model were to open their doors in the course of 2022.
Address: Syprès 57 Boulevard President Franklin Roosevelt, 33400
Was this article helpful to you? Note that you can follow Actu Bordeaux in the My Actu space. In one click, after registration, you will find all the news of your favorite cities and brands.