aGreenerFuneral.org Offers The Funeral Trade A New Way To Go Green

New Public Service Web Site Helps Connect Consumers to Providers of Greener Funerals

Passages International, Inc., an internationally-known pioneer of environmentally-friendly, sustainable caskets, urns and keepsakes, has introduced a new program to help funeral homes benefit from the emerging trend of green funerals. At the center of the program is aGreenerFuneral.org (AGF,) a public service Web site sponsored by Passages International and launched on Earth Day, April 22, 2010.

aGreenerFuneral.org was created to expand consumer awareness about greener funerals, greener burials and greener cremations. At the same time, it is designed to provide a fast and easy connection between consumers interested in greener funerals and funeral homes that wish to serve them.

The site offers consumers a broad and unbiased look at the wide range of greener funeral options. While many green burial sites focus on natural cemeteries, aGreenerFuneral.org also features information on cremation, bio-cremation, alternative forms of disposition and greener funeral products. To reach as wide an audience as possible, the site takes the position that green is in the eye of the beholder and broadens its appeal to include the outdoor enthusiast and nature lover as well as the dedicated environmentalist.

Our goal is to make aGreenerFuneral.org the top resource for consumers interested in greener funerals, says Darren Crouch, president of Passages International. While green is just beginning to find its way into the mainstream of funeral practice, the funeral home that offers greener funerals and products will expand its audience while demonstrating its commitment to personalization and innovation. aGreenerFuneral.org offers funeral homes an effective way to reach this under served but growing group of consumers.

The site will use the latest search engine optimization (SEO) tools to develop high rankings on such popular search engines as Google, Yahoo, AOL and Bing. aGreenerFuneral.org will also utilize ongoing public relations to generate increased media and consumer awareness of the site and greener funerals.

THE AGF PROVIDER PROGRAM

Funeral homes interested in reaching the sites audience may join the AGF Provider program. Program participants will be listed on the site in a database that consumers can search to find a greener funeral provider in their area.

Becoming an AGF provider signifies that you are willing and able to provide a greener funeral to families when called upon, says Crouch. It also indicates that you carry Passages International products, which are among the finest and most planet-friendly available.

As an official AGF Provider, participants will be entitled to display the AGF Greenleaf emblem on their premises, in advertising and at green community events. The emblem indicates that the Provider does green and is intended to complement other green funeral certifications and organizations such as The Green Burial Council.

In addition to a listing on aGreenerFuneral.org, AGF Providers can receive additional benefits and services, including:

Copies of the consumer booklet A Greener Funeral. This consumer guide to planning a greener funeral is an offline version of the content on the site. There is space to imprint the funeral homes name on the back. It can be distributed at the funeral home and can also be used as a promotional lead-generating giveaway in advertising.

A framed Greenleaf emblem plaque suitable for display in the Providers lobby. The plaque declares a commitment to greener funerals and being an innovative funeral care provider.

Artwork and creative ideas to help Providers incorporate greener funerals into their

advertising, publicity and special events. (Additional co-op advertising opportunities

are available with qualifying orders of Passages International products.)

Access to AGFs network of experience and creativity, a source of advice and ideas when a family asks you to plan a greener funeral. AGF can help answer such questions as: Where is the closest natural burial park? What are the alternatives to conventional embalming? How can you enhance the sale of a direct cremation?

aGreenerFuneral.org offers funeral providers a pathway to new marketing opportunities, greater exposure and enhanced sales of products and services, says Crouch. As the sponsor of aGreenerFuneral.org, Passages International wants funeral providers to take full advantage of the newest trend in the funeral industry. This is an exciting evolution in our industry and we want everyone to benefit from it.

To find out how you can participate as an official Provider of aGreenerFuneral.org, contact Darren Crouch at Darren@agreenerfuneral.org or call (888) 480-6400.