Áltima bets on live plant and locally grown offerings for burials

Sant Boi de Llobregat (Barcelona), June 4, 2021 — Àltima has just launched the "Live Plant" project, which replaces traditional cut flowers in funeral arrangements with natural plants placed artisanally in pots. These plants are seasonal and locally grown from nurseries in Catalonia. The initiative is already underway at the Ronda de Dalt Funeral Home in Barcelona and will be gradually implemented at all other Àltima centers across Catalonia.

The "Live Plant" service applies to traditional wreaths and centerpieces in memory of the deceased. These are made using plants arranged on a base or mold, forming the desired floral element. At the end of the funeral service, the arrangement is dismantled, and the plants are given to attendees in personalized pot holders as a keepsake. “With Live Plant, we contribute to preserving the memory of the loved one through a natural and living flower that the family can plant wherever they wish,” explains Josep Ventura, General Director of Àltima Funeral Services. Additionally, it is an environmentally friendly option that promotes sustainable production and responsible consumption. “On one hand, it helps reduce the carbon footprint by opting for locally sourced plants, which cuts down on imported cut flowers and, consequently, emissions from long-distance transport. On the other hand, it also achieves a significant reduction in natural flower waste,” Ventura adds. In this regard, the level of waste is also improved with this new service.

Currently, the varieties used for "Live Plant" arrangements include chrysanthemum, saintpaulia, kalanchoe, and Maresme guzmania, as well as various aromatic plants.

Since its launch, through a pilot test initiated in November 2020 at the Ronda de Dalt Funeral Home, the "Live Plant" project has received very positive feedback from families, with more than 200 families already having used the service.

Sustainability at the Heart of Àltima

With "Live Plant," Àltima continues to advance its commitment to the environment, as the new project complements the various actions the company undertakes based on its Corporate Sustainability Strategic Plan, which covers all departments and operations. In this regard, the funeral company has long offered ecological options for coffins, now preferred by 85% of families, and ecological urns, chosen by 42% of users. For coffins, there are several environmentally friendly options, all made from controlled logging wood, using water-based varnishes and natural fabrics, without metal or glass elements. The ecological urns for ashes are also made from various materials—natural wood, clay, or salt—all biodegradable.

In the realm of sustainable mobility, Àltima has also been a pioneer in electric funeral vehicles. Recently, the company has begun renewing its entire fleet with new models Lumen and Atys, which will be completed by 2024.

Regarding cemetery management, Àltima has been a leader in Spain in promoting new products and services for the ecological disposal of ashes, such as the Forest Path, Family Trees, Resting Fountain, and Poppy Garden, among others. In some of the facilities it manages, like the Roques Blanques regional cemetery in Papiol, it is also collaborating on various projects for the study and preservation of local flora and fauna, in partnership with the Collserola Natural Park Consortium or the Granollers Natural Science Museum. Examples include the educational apiary established last year, the amphibian pond, and the permanent bat monitoring station.