Roques Blanques acquires the first electric funeral vehicle prototype, the ION, in Catalonia

Barcelona, March 31, 2009.

Starting this April, the Comarcal Cemetery Parc de Roques Blanques will introduce the electric hearse ION, which will be used for burials and transfers within the grounds. Managed by the Serveis Funeraris Integrals (SFI) group and continuing its commitment to sustainability and environmental respect, Roques Blanques will be the first cemetery in Catalonia to have such a vehicle.

Located in the Collserola mountain range, within the municipality of El Papiol (Barcelona), Roques Blanques has been known for its dedication to protecting the natural surroundings. As a result, all graves are seamlessly integrated into the terrain's topography, and there is a growing preference for eco-friendly burial alternatives and renewable energy. In 2008, 522 services at Roques Blanques chose environmentally friendly burial options, such as biodegradable urns or eco-friendly coffins, marking a fourfold increase in usage within just two years.

Commitment to renewable energy and protection of native species

The acquisition of the new electric hearse ION at Roques Blanques brings multiple advantages for burials or transfers within the cemetery: it is silent, avoids harmful emissions, and minimizes maintenance costs, including energy consumption, insurance, and taxes. Manufactured by the Catalan company Bergadana Solutions SL, the new ION can reach a top speed of 40 kilometers per hour and has a range of about 45 kilometers. Its smaller size and compact design also allow for better maneuverability.

According to Joan Ventura, Director of Cemeteries at Serveis Funeraris Integrals, “the new electric hearse represents a significant step in our commitment to the environment. We are located in a privileged setting that must be protected, respected, and prioritized in every new project we undertake. We are pioneers in sustainability, being the only cemetery in Spain with EMAS certification and the first to implement an ecological burial alternative like the Forest of Calm.”

In addition to the ION, Roques Blanques also has an electric vehicle for internal cemetery visits and, starting next April, will have a new electric sweeper for cleaning the grounds. Furthermore, reinforcing its commitment to renewable energy, Roques Blanques plans to conduct a study this year to begin installing solar panels on the roofs of the niche buildings. Simultaneously, Roques Blanques is implementing several measures to protect local flora and fauna, including installing an amphibian pond to safeguard species facing extinction in the Collserola range.

The forest of calm plants over 300 trees in Collserola

The Forest of Calm was established two years ago, in February 2007, to reforest an area that suffered a fire with native Mediterranean trees—cork oak, holm oak, or stone pine—and to bury a biodegradable urn with the deceased's ashes beside them. It was the first ecological burial initiative of its kind to be launched in Spain.

In just two years, the project has planted over 320 trees and has expanded with new Family Trees, larger in size, allowing for the burial of up to five biodegradable urns from the same family around them. The project addresses the need for an alternative to cremation, which has doubled in the last five years. “Many people didn’t know what to do with the ashes, and we believed this alternative could be very helpful,” says Joan Ventura. “The tree becomes a physical reference, which is very necessary in mourning processes, providing a place to remember the deceased. Additionally, it contributes to the reforestation of an area in the Collserola park.” In a few years, the area is expected to become a lush forest, and GPS coordinates for each tree will be provided to families so they can find and remember their tree in the future.

SFI: Over 300 years of experience in the funeral sector

Serveis Funeraris Integrals is the leading group in the management of funeral services, funeral homes, and cemeteries in the province of Barcelona and currently serves 56 towns in Catalonia. SFI was formed from the merger of three family businesses—Ventura, Fenés, and Viñas—each with over 300 years of experience in the funeral sector and a team of 200 professionals.

SFI maintains a strong commitment to environmental quality. This determination aims primarily to achieve excellence in corporate administration, occupational health and safety, and environmental standards. In addition to holding the European EMAS registration for the Roques Blanques cemetery, the group has ISO 14001-2004 environmental certification for all the cemeteries it manages, as well as ISO 9001-2000 quality certification for its cemeteries and the 14 funeral homes in the group. Notable funeral homes include the Tanatori Ronda de Dalt in Barcelona, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Sant Boi, Vilafranca del Penedès, and Vilanova i la Geltrú, among others. Additionally, two of the cemeteries managed by SFI—Sitges and Vilanova i la Geltrú—have been part of the ASCE (Association of Cemeteries in Europe) since March 2008, a European association that groups cemeteries of cultural and historical interest from across the continent.