PROJECT PROPOSAL DOCUMENT ON A PROPOSED MCMASTER FOUNDATION GRANT OF FJD500,000 TO ESTABLISHING GREEN BURIAL IN THE PACIFIC TO SUPPORT THE

ENVIROMENT AND REDUCE SOCIO-ECONOMIC COSTS

November 3, 2010

Salote Domona Pule Sukanaivalu Lavenia Cocker

GREEN BURIAL PROJECT CONTENTS

PAGE

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2. BACKGROUND 3. ANALSYSIS 3.1 3.2 3.3 STAKEHOLDERS ANALYSIS PROBLEM ANALYSIS ANALYSIS OF OBJECTIVES

4. OUTCOME, OUTPUTS AND STRATEGY 5. MONTORING AND EVALUATION 6. EXTERNAL FACTORS, RISKS AND ASSUMPTIONS 7. IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS 8. ANNEXES 8.1 8.2 8.3 ANNEX 1: SIMPLIED DESIGN AND MONITORING FRAMEWORK ANNEX 2: WORKPLAN IN MS PROJECT ANNEX 3: RESULTS BASED PROJECT

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Green burial refers to a place where human burial takes place in a biodegradable coffin or shroud, and a tree, shrub or wildflowers are planted as a memorial instead of a headstone. The concept of green burial has been successful particularly in the United States. Establishing green burial in Suva will be the first of its kind in the Pacific. The establishment of the green burial concept is expected to be funded by McMaster Foundation with a grant of FJD500, 000i. The Green Reaper will be the executing agency for the proposed Green Burial business to ease the sufferings of those who have just lost a family member or loved one by making burial more meaningful, sustainable and economically viable. Green Burial may sound like another trend of the eco-chic, but its actually the way most humanity has cared for its dead thousands of years, where time and human death are not denied but integrated with nature and life. A symbolic and hopeful place where life and death meet and make friends. It is innovative and as yet unfamiliar to our society. Green Reaper will provide a wide range of services and be a one stop shop offer biodegradable products, make arrangement to have a Priest according to the religious sector of the deceased and family members, provide a Hearse to transport the deceased. Assist in the preparation of FNPF funding if required, prepare the burial ground and e-correspondence to Registrar for immediate death certificate issuance to deceased relatives. The Green burial project would include three components: implementing green burial business, promoting and creating awareness of green burial and implementing green burial practises. Monitoring and evaluation of project will be responsibility of the Green Reaper in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Department of Environment. The Green burial project is expected to commence in January 2011.

2. BACKGROUND As with many countries, traditional burial and cremation practices have significant negative impact on the environment. Death can be a difficult subject, keeping ethical beliefs and environmental convictions in mind while tending to end-of-life arrangements can create a meaningful send-off-not to mention a lower-impact one. Green Burial is the way to go in this 21st century. It is a sustainable and spiritual fulfilling solution for people seeking to leave a legacy of care and respect for our planet. Green burial, also referred to as natural burials or eco-burials is an environmentally sustainable alternative to existing funeral practices where the body, not embalmed is buried in a simple shroud or biodegradable casket to decompose naturally. In place of headstones, grave markers can be plants, shrubs or trees planted or flat rocks. Green burial concept of a modern practice burial option has been successfully in Europe and in the United States of America. Prior to this, many cemeteries established before the civil war were, in fact, green cemeteries as embalming were not widely used, hence these green cemeteries were free of toxic embalming fluids. Green burial will be a new burial option in the Pacific. Around the Pacific, there are sacred places used as burial sites by our forefathers; similar to the green cemeteries in the United States. Today, many of these green cemeteries are mothballed and have not been used for burial for many decades. They are maintained by family member buried there decades before. Launching green burial in Fiji will be the first of its kind within the Pacific region. In line with the theme1, green burial will support the conservation of the environment and the eco system through the following: No toxic chemical embalming fluids - body is returned to the earth to decompose and recycle naturally Use only biodegradable materials shrouds, no wooden casket or urns, burial vaults or plastic flowers Reduce of mercury emissions into eco system no cremations (gaining popularity due to its simplicity, affordability and compactness) Reduction in funeral cost - green burials can cost around 25% to 75% less than traditional burial

Statistics available from the two main hospitals in Suva recorded that an average of 120 deaths each month and deceased is either be buried or cremated at cemeteries. Green burial will be a better burial option to consider in the future. In addition, catering for the dead is an expensive exercise. For an I-Taukei culture, it is a norm that as final rites, to provide the best for the deceased in terms of best casket, burial sites, feasting of food during the period of mourning with the cost borne by the immediate family through loans from financial institutions. , The Green Reaper will develop the Green Burial concept and work hand in hand with the following stakeholders: McMaster Foundation, Ministry of i-Taukei, Ministry of Local Government, Urban Development, Housing and Environment, Ministry of Lands/ Native Land Trust Board to ensure that when the project gets underway. It will have a major impact in the reduction of pollution and degradation through our burial practices. The business will be strategically located in Suva.
1

Supporting the implementation of green development in the Pacific through businesses innovation, networking and knowledge management.

3. ANALYSIS 3.1. STAKEHOLDER ANALYSIS

Stakeholder
Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji & Sangam Fiji (Hindus affiliates) Fiji Council of Churches

Interests
Cremation of the deceased is part of the religious belief Traditional burial final rites provide the best for the deceased like caskets, burial sites, feasting etc .

Problem Perception
Wet/rainy weather conditions

Resources
Green burial is an option that they may consider in the future Willing to consider Green burial given choose the burial sites for the deceased funeral cost is less compared to traditional burial. no destruction to burial sites Provided that green burial cost is within the traditional burial cost, green burial sites are available ASAP willing to consider/opt for Green burial Willing to promote Green burial as it is in line with the iTaukei policy

Mandate

Burial sites are limited no choice but accept the plot given Vandalism of grave sites Enormous funeral cost borne by immediate family. Burial sites are limited no choice but accept the plot given Vandalism of grave sites

Fiji Muslim League

Traditional burial ASAP

Ministry of i-Taukei

Enforce the i-Taukei policy o/w to reduce funeral cost and limit the mourning days for Fijians Reduce expenditure for embalming fluid and create more mortuary space Licensing authority to approve construction of a mortuary

No proper monitoring of the i-Taukei policy particularly on funerals

To manage iTaukei policy

Ministry of Health (hospitals)

Embalming fluid is expensive Limited mortuary space as Fiji Govt does not have a decree to allow outside/ private companies to construct a mortuary. Citizen complain about new Green burial sites

Willing to work with Green Burial business to create more awareness on the Green Burial as it . Reduce expenditure . More space at the morgue Veto power in Government to command popular support

To manage deceased

Ministry of Lands/ Native Land Trust Board Ministry of Local Government, Urban Development and, Housing

sought approval for the identified sites for Green burial approve the identified land (crown lease)for Green burial

To approve the sites for green burial To approve the crown lease land for Green burial.

May identified other crown lease land for green burial sites and late approval may lead to delay in timeframe in implementing the project Embalming fluid contaminates the ground Cremation increases pollution (firewood & kerosene used) use of steel and burial vaults used as caskets Cutting of down trees increases soil erosion

Veto power to the crown lease land

Department of Environment

Reduction in toxic chemical fluids Reduction of mercury emissions and chemicals into the eco-system. Use of biodegradable materials for funerals Saving of trees.

Willing to promote Green burial as it is in line with the visions of the Department of Environment

To manage environment

Ministry Justice

Death registration

Delay in uploading of deceased information into the system. Some property are incorrectly zoned due to non communication of property owners when converting from residential to Business Many business operate without Valid License

Veto power to register all death in Fiji

Town & Country planning

Ensure proper zoning for business & land allocated

Willing to consider Green Burial sites proposal

Municipal Council

Mc Master Foundation

Ensure proper business license is issued after all necessary requirements are being satisfied Supporting the implementation of green development in the Pacific through businesses , innovation, networking and knowledge management

Willing to look at Green burial proposal and prior to issuing business license

Delay in the implementation of the Green burial project & usage of funds requesting.

Funding the establishment of Green burial in Suva

3.2. PROBLEM ANALYSIS

The establishment of green burial practise is to minimise environmental degradation and lower cost as compared to traditional burial and cremation. Major Problem: Limited burial options and sites in Fiji. Cause-Effect Relationship: Problem Tree

effect

Demand for choosing burial sites/plot & options

No longer choose the burial grave site/plot accept the plot given

Re-opening of gave sites of over 10 years

Other current burial are sea & cremation etc

Limited burial options &sites

Grave sites are almost taken up

Prior booking of new grave sites

causes Avoid paying future increase in burial fees Family wished to be buried next to each other family burial ground

In Suva Fiji Government has yet to identify other new grave sites in addition to Suva & Nasinu cemeteries. Vatuwaqa Cemetery is full - only for re-opening of grave sites for new burial

Enormous cost associated with traditional burial

High cost of casket

Cost of catering during the mourning period

Extra cost from vandalism of grave sites

Thieves are after valuables buried with the deceased esp. Jewelries, mats, clothes etc

No proper fencing

Not enough proper security arrangement 1 watchman per shift

Sustainability of the project The Green Reaper will drive and own this project from the beginning and will be committed in managing and owning Green burial business. In addition, to ensure long term sustainability, Green Reaper will work hand in hand with the Fiji Government particularly the Ministry of Lands and the Department of Environment and ensure that a degree is passed for practise of Green burial as well as meeting the national objective which is supporting the environment.

3.3 Objective Tree

ANALYSIS OF OBJECTIVES AND RESULTS CHAIN ANALYSIS

Ministry of i-Taukei

Ends

No toxic chemical embalming fluids in to Cleaner ecothe eco-system

system

Reduce mercury emissions into the eco system

Pollution stabilised

Use of biodegradable materials

Reduce environmental degradation

Lower funeral cost

Cost savings

Choosing Green Burial

Saving the environment

Option of re-opening old graves & opting for Green burial

More land space

More choices of burial options available

Choose burial sites

More options

Cost of Green Burial is expected to be less than traditional burial/cremation

Cost savings

To establish GREEN BURIAL in the Pacific

Arya Sabha/FCOC/Fiji Muslim League

Means

Prior bookings of family grave sites is allowed

Sense of Ownership

Identified crown lease land for Green Burial

Minimise on Vandalism of grave sites

Crime free environment

Prior booking burial fee is fixed

Timeliness

Ministry of Lands/Ministry of Local Govt, Housing

Green Reaper

Key: Result chains - red fonts in boxes Stakeholders green boxes

4.0 DESIGN AND MONITORING FRAMEWORK: OUTCOMES, OUTPUTS, INDICATORS & MAIN ACTIVITIES

IMPACT Supporting the implementation of green development in the Pacific through business, innovating, networking, and knowledge management.

OUTCOME The objective of the project is to establish Green Burial in the Pacific as an environmentally friendly, lower cost alternative to traditional burial and cremations. The expected benefits of the project are reducing toxic chemicals embalming fluids and mercury emissions into the eco-system; promote the use of biodegradable materials and lower funeral costs/

OUTPUTS 1. To implement Green burial practices. 2. Promote and create awareness on Green Burial 3. To implement Green burial practices

INDICATORS Key indicators used to monitor the project in Annexure 3 include the following By 2013 - Evaluate green burial data against the Target. By 2015 Reduction in the importation of embalming fluids (formaldehyde) By 2016 Increase green burial by 30% By 2017 - Increase in the number of trees planted in accordance the government regulation to plant 1,000,000 trees. By 2018 Increase in the number of green burial by 60% MAIN ACTIVITIES Output 1: Establish Green Burial Business
1.1 Register business with the Registrar of Companies (ROC). 1.2 The business will apply for new Tax Identification Number (TIN) with the Inland Revenue Services. 1.3 The business will apply for permit with the environmental department / fire certificate with the Fiji National Authority in order to obtain a business license with the Town council. 1.4 Submission of application for land lease with the Lands Department. 1.5 Conduct Environmental Impact Assessment on the allocated land. 1.6 Conduct drainage works & landscaping on marked areas. 1.7 Construct of chapel & show room to display the bio-degradable products that will be available to the deceased families. 1.8 Construction of fence for security purposes. 1.9 Installation of solar power lights 1.10 Purchase Office Equipment, Furniture & Fittings" 1.11 Purchase of Database licenses to link the business system to other stakeholders 1.12 Purchase of company Hearse to transport the dead and Company vehicle for business use. 1.13 Purchase Biodegradable Products (weaved caskets) from our local villages. 1.14 Recruitment of business employees.

Output 2: Promote and Create Awareness

2.1 Present the Green Burial practices to Stakeholders 2.2 Hold Joint environmental awareness with the department of Environment 2.3 Work in partnership with the Ministry of Health in promoting of non embalming deceased. 2.4 Media advertising to promote the Green Burial Business.

Output 3: Implementing Green Burial

3.1 Collect information of deceased and requirements by relatives 3.2 Liaise with hospital in regards to the deceased documents 3.3 Liaise with Religious sector for last funeral rites performed to the deceased. 3.4 Assist deceased family on Death funeral benefit with FNPF. 3.5 Payment of service to be rendered to Green Reaper 3.6 Place casket in Hearse by the driver. 3.7 Transport Casket to the Morgue 3.8 Prepare body & place in biodegradable casket / shroud. 3.9 Transport deceased to chapel for burial service. 3.10 Perform Funeral Rites/ Burial Ground 3.11 Final burial of deceased 3.12 A plant or tree / shrubs are planted in memory of the deceased. 3.13 The priest / pundit will sign deceased documents 3.14 The Green Reaper will electronically transfer information to the Birth & Death Registration Department for record updates and preparation of death certificate. The death certificate will be collected by the family.

5.0

MONITORING AND EVALUATION

Monitoring and evaluation of the Green burial project will be the responsibility of Green Reaper. A mid-term review will be carried out after the first year of operations to evaluate the achievement of project development objectives and to take corrective actions to ensure successful implementation of the project. The following indicators will be considered: Outcome: By the end of 2016, green burial is expected to increase by 30% based on the number of green burials against the total death recorded. By the end of 2018, green burial is expected to increase by 30% based on the number of green burials against the total death recorded. Indicator: number of green burial recorded in the Green Reaper database and the total death statistics recorded by the Ministry of Health.

Output 1: (i) By the end of 2011, establish Green Burial Business Indicator: Obtaining of business licence (ii) By the end of 2013, evaluate green burial data against the Target. Indicator: Customer analysis report compiled by the Green Reaper ii) By the end of 2015, monitor the reduction in the importation of embalming fluids (formaldehyde) Indicator: Fiji Government Public Finance report value of imported embalming fluids (formaldehyde) Output 2: (i) By the end of 2012, evaluate customer analysis and sales indicators. Indicator: Customer analysis report compiled by the Green Reaper & view the Effectiveness of the i-Taukei policy report (ii) By the end of 2017, Increase in the number of trees planted in accordance the government regulation to plant 1,000,000 trees Indicator: Ministry of Forestry report

6.0

EXTERNAL FACTORS, RISKS AND ASSUMPTIONS

Risk Consequences Probability Impact Response plan/action Mitigating risk. Foregoing human needs for the benefit of the environment Monitor

Risk Category

Social Risk

Human needs vs environmental ones

Compromises for humanity, for the cultural and spiritual aspects of burial. A human need with no possible benefits Planting of native trees / flowers Project delay

Medium

Medium

Freedom of expression in memorials

Medium

Low

Grave perpetuity

High

Medium

Mitigate and prepare plan

Site Risk .

Unavailability of land space Statutory approvals

High

Medium

Mitigate and prepare plan Monitor consider mitigating Monitor consider mitigating Mitigate prepare plan Mitigate prepare plan

Project delay

High

Low

Environmental issues

Project delay

Medium

Medium

Financial Risk

Inflation risk

Cost over runs

Medium

High

Legislative and government policy risk

Introduction of new tax

Cost over runs

Medium

High

Withdrawal of government support Force majeure risk Cyclone Earthquake Market & Revenue Risk Insufficient green burial fees

Project delay

High

Medium

Mitigate and prepare plan

Project delay

High

Medium

Mitigate and prepare plan

Cost of over runs

Low

Low

Ignore

7.0

IMPLEMENTATIONS ARRANGEMENTS

Project: Establishing Green burial 1. The Green Reaper will be responsible for (a) Establishing green burial business (b) Providing a green burial package which includes: (1) Preparation of body. (2) Providing hearse service. (3) Providing shrouds or wicket caskets. (4) Providing a chapel for funeral rites. (c) Providing administration work (d) Providing security (e) Providing maintenance and up keep of the burial ground. 2. Department of Environment (a) Join effort with the Green Reaper to create awareness on Green Burial practices (b) Provision of waste permit (c) Conduct an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) 3. Ministry of Lands/Native Land Trust Board (a) Provision of land lease. 4. Ministry of Health (a) Issuance of death certificate (b) Work in partnership with Green Reaper in promoting of non-embalming of deceased.

5. Ministry of Local Government, Urban development and Housing. (a) Issuance of business licence (b) Classification of zoning. 6. Ministry of i-Taukei (a) Enforcement of i-Taukei policy particularly on the reduction of funeral. (b) Work in partnership with Green Reaper to raise awareness on green burial. 7. Ministry of Justice (a) Death registration 8. Fiji National Provident Fund (a) Work in partnership with Green Reaper on the application of death benefits of deceased members.

ANNEXES 1: SIMPLIED DESIGN AND MONITORING FRAMEWORK|

ANNEX 1: Design Summary

Performance Targets/Indicators
(1)

Data Sources/Reporting Mechanisms

Collecting data on the total number of green burials in Fiji Collecting death statistics from the Ministry of Health

Assumptions and Risks

Assumptions Stable political environment

Outcome To establish Green Burial in the Pacific as an environmentally friendly, lower cost alternative to traditional burial and cremations.

By 2016 To increase green burial by 30% By 2018 To increase green burial by 60% By 2011 Establish Business (2)

Risk Different religions / cultures. Shift in government priorities. Assumptions (1) Governments timely approval of land lease, business licence. (2) McMasters disbursement of funds. (3) Provide green burial training (4) Governments commitment for green burial practices

Output 1. To implement Green burial practices.

Green

Burial

(1) Obtaining of business licence

By 2013 Evaluate green burial data against our target. By 2015 Reduction in the importation of embalming fluids (formaldehyde)

(2) Customer analysis report

(3) Obtaining Fiji Governments statistical report on formaldehyde.

2.

Promote and create awareness on Green Burial

By 2012 Evaluate customer analysis and sales indicators. Viewing of the report on the effectiveness of the iTaukei policy By 2017 Increase in the number of trees planted in accordance the government regulation to plant 1,000,000 trees.

(1) Customer analysis report (2) Ministry of iTaukei report

(3) Ministry of Forestry

Risk (1) Unavalability of training locally (2) Withdrawal of McMasters fundings (3) Unavailability of land space

Main Activities 1. Implementing Green Burial business 1.1 Register the Company 1.2 Apply for TAX registration 1.3 Apply for Business Licenses 1.4 Apply for Land Lease 1.5 Carry out an EIA 1.6 Carry out drainage system & Landscaping 1.7 Construction of chapel & show room 1.8 Construction of fence 1.9 Install solar power lights 1.10 Purchase Office Equipment, Furniture & Fittings" 1.11 Purchase of Database licenses 1.12 Purchase company Hearse and Company vehicle 1.13 Purchase Biodegradable Product 1.14 Recruit employees 2. Promote & Create Awareness of Green Burial Practices 2.1 Present the Green Burial practices to Stakeholders 2.2 Hold Joint environmental awareness with the department of Environment 2.3 Work with the Ministry of Health in promoting of non embalming deceased 2.4 Media advertising Implementing Green Burial 3.1 Collect information from deceased relatives 3.2 Liaise with hospital 3.3 Liaise with Religious sector 3.4 Assist deceased family on Death benefit funeral expenses with FNPF 3.5 Payment of service to be rendered 3.6 Place casket in Hearse 3.7 Transport Casket to the Morgue 3.8 Prepare body & place in casket 3.9 Transport casket to chapel 3.10 Perform Funeral Rites/ Burial Ground 3.11 Bury the Body 3.12 Plant of Trees or shrubs 3.13 Assigned Priest to sign deceased documents 3.14 Electronic Transfer of information to Registrar

Inputs Mc Master Foundation

3.

ANNEX 2: WORKPLAN OF MS PROJECT

ANNEX 3: RESULT BASED BUDGET (FJD $500,000)

Output Main Activities Split of activities by budget lines $3,000.00 $1,500.00 Amount

Output 1:

1.1 Register the Company 1.2 Apply for TAX registration 1.3 Apply for Business Licenses 1.4 Apply for Land Lease 1.5 Carry out an EIA 1.6 Carry out drainage system & Landscaping 1.7. Construct chapel & show room 1.8. Construct fence 1.9 Install Solar power lights 1.10 Purchase Office Equipment, Furniture & Fittings 1.11 Purchase of Database licenses 1.12 Purchase company Hearse and Company vehicle 1.13 Purchase Biodegradable Product 1.14 Recruit employees 2.1 Present the Green Burial practices to Stakeholders 2.2 Hold Joint environmental awareness with the department of Environment 2.3 Work with the Ministry of Health in promoting of non embalming deceased 2.4 Media advertising 3.1 Collect information from deceased relatives 3.2 Liaise with hospital

$3,000.00 $3,000.00 $4,500.00

To implement Green burial business $159,000.00

$25,000.00 $1,500.00 $20,000.00 $50,000.00

$29,500.00 $31,000.00 $51,000.00 $101,000.00

$15,000.00 $900.00

$116,000.00 $116,900.00

$5,000.00

$121,900

$1,200.00

$123,100.00

$30,000.00

$153,100.00

$5000.00

$158,100.00

$1,200.00 $5,000.00

$159,200.00 $5,000.00

Output 2:

$5,000.00

$10,000.00

Promote and create awareness on Green Burial $24,000.00

$2,000.00

$12,000.00

$12,000.00 $2,400.00

$24,000.00 $2,400.00

Output 3. Implementing Green Burial $5,680.00

3.3 Liaise with Religious sector

$2,000.00

$4,400.00

3.4 Assist deceased family on Death benefit funeral expenses with FNPF

3.5 Payment of service to be rendered 3.6 Place casket in Hearse

$800.00

$5,200.00

3.7 Transport Casket To the Morgue

3.8 Prepare body & place in casket

3.9 Transport casket to chapel

3.10 Perform Funeral Rites/ Burial Ground

3.11 Bury the Body

3.12 Plant of Trees or shrubs

3.13 Assigned Priest to sign deceased documents

3.14 Electronic Transfer of information to Registrar

$480.00

$5,680.00

The title of this Project is: Establishing Green Burial in the Pacific to support the Environment and reduce socio-economic costs