How To Have a Greener Funeral

The Big Green Money Show

'I’m going home to tell my husband I want a cardboard coffin'.

In this week’s Big Green Money Show, Dragons' Den star Deborah Meaden and BBC 5 Live's Felicity Hannah find out about greener funerals – and for Felicity in particular it turned out to be a life-changing episode.

Meanwhile Deborah tells Fliss about a green funeral she recently attended and what it meant to her. They discover what's out there for people who want to plan a greener funeral, from coffin choices to electric hearses.

They also learn that where and how we are buried can make a difference, and they talk to listener Rachael who arranged a woodland burial for her dad.

The Association of Green Funeral Directors discusses the many options available for those who want greener funerals and Deborah and Fliss meet a company which sells sustainable coffins.

They also hear from one of the country's biggest independent cremation providers about the emissions associated with cremation.

And they find out that once you get going, talking about funerals and death can be surprisingly uplifting. From hedgehog houses for grave markers, cardboard coffins covered in cats and bicycle hearses, there are endless ways to have a greener and very personal end.

This podcast talks frankly about death and the practices involved in many UK funerals. Although we want everyone to listen to our shows, if you think you might find those subjects difficult to hear about, then please do give this episode a miss and join us again next week.

Tell us what you think, tell us if you've ever been to a green funeral and talk about some of the issues raised by using the hashtag #GreenMoneyShow on Twitter. Or email the team at [e-mail].

With Deborah Meaden and Felicity Hannah.

Production team: Lexy O'Connor, Luke Wilson, Gareth Jones, Justin bones, Natasha Johansson.