The Role of Local Economic Development and Environmental Health in the Emerging Funeral Home Sector in Mpumalanga, South Africa
Based on:
Journal Article (2021)
The efforts of the different parts of the chain from undertaker, to environmentalist to local government are too disaggregated. There needs to be better coordination, because access to undertakers is very important for families when their close ones die.
Brief by:
Emerging undertakers have issues with complying with environmental prescripts when handling human remains. Noncompliance is very high and environmentalists have to shut down lots of undertakers. The problem with that is that undertakers provide a necessary services.
They need help, because there are very few undertakers with sufficient storage to host lots of remains. When we look at the national development plan, one of the objectives is to support emerging businesses. Why is the business of human remains management not part of these emerging businesses.
The purpose of this paper was to find out what was missing.
Key findings
There is a lack of coordination between undertakers, environmentalists and local government.
Environmentalists issue warnings, but there is no other follow-up except shutting down the undertaker.
Undertakers, after being found that they are non-compliant, they don't know who to talk to. This creates an issue for the duties of the environmentalists, because if everyone starts opening funeral parlours, it can be dangerous for the environment. The local governments do not support the business of human remains.
Proposed action
Within local government a dialogue has to begin between the Environmental Health office (EHP) and the Local Economic Development (LEDP)
The Environmental health guidelines cannot be changed because of possible environmental consequences that may ensue
Emerging funeral directors provide a much needed service in communities
There are emerging funeral directors who are fully compliant, there are those who wish to be like their peers in the industry, but because of starting this business from a disadvantaged background, and serving disadvantaged communities, they are left with no other option, but to serve their communities, regardless of their status of compliance
Helpful resources
Newspaper article: News article on strike [Access resource]
Newspaper article: Second news article on strike [Access resource]
Newspaper article: Third news article about the strike [Access resource]
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Acknowledgements
Special thanks to Antoine Germain for preparation assistance
We would like to extend a special thank you to Antoine Germain, for their invaluable contribution in assisting the preparation of this research summary.
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The Role of Local Economic Development and Environmental Health in the Emerging Funeral Home Sector in Mpumalanga, South Africa
Cite this brief: Maphela, Bulelwa. 'The Role of Local Economic Development and Environmental Health in the Emerging Funeral Home Sector in Mpumalanga, South Africa'. Acume. https://www.acume.org/r/the-role-of-local-economic-development-and-environmental-health-in-the-emerging-funeral-home-sector-in-mpumalanga-south-africa/
Brief created by: Dr Bulelwa Maphela | Year brief made: 2022
Original research:
- Maphela, B., ‘The Role of Local Economic Development and Environmental Health in the Emerging Funeral Home Sector in Mpumalanga, South Africa’ 11(4) (pp. 117–137) https://doi.org/10.31920/2634-3649/2021/v11n4a6. – https://journals.co.za/doi/abs/10.31920/2634-3649/2021/v11n4a6
Research brief:
The efforts of the different parts of the chain from undertaker, to environmentalist to local government are too disaggregated. There needs to be better coordination, because access to undertakers is very important for families when their close ones die.
Emerging undertakers have issues with complying with environmental prescripts when handling human remains. Noncompliance is very high and environmentalists have to shut down lots of undertakers. The problem with that is that undertakers provide a necessary services.
They need help, because there are very few undertakers with sufficient storage to host lots of remains. When we look at the national development plan, one of the objectives is to support emerging businesses. Why is the business of human remains management not part of these emerging businesses.
The purpose of this paper was to find out what was missing.
Findings:
There is a lack of coordination between undertakers, environmentalists and local government.
Environmentalists issue warnings, but there is no other follow-up except shutting down the undertaker.
Undertakers, after being found that they are non-compliant, they don’t know who to talk to. This creates an issue for the duties of the environmentalists, because if everyone starts opening funeral parlours, it can be dangerous for the environment. The local governments do not support the business of human remains.
Advice:
Within local government a dialogue has to begin between the Environmental Health office (EHP) and the Local Economic Development (LEDP)
- This is not to enforce, but a discussion to highlight the business challenges of the emerging funeral directors that lead to directors struggles with non-compliance.
The Environmental health guidelines cannot be changed because of possible environmental consequences that may ensue
- The local government has to open up their strategies in order for LEDP to have a wider scope.
Emerging funeral directors provide a much needed service in communities
- They do want to follow the guidelines of human remains management. However because of despair, not knowing who to talk to when they are found to be non-compliant, they continue to operate in the space of human remains management. Since this is the case, starting a dialogue may assist in making sure that the services are provided in accordance with the guidelines.
There are emerging funeral directors who are fully compliant, there are those who wish to be like their peers in the industry, but because of starting this business from a disadvantaged background, and serving disadvantaged communities, they are left with no other option, but to serve their communities, regardless of their status of compliance