News Corp Australia reported on October 19 that Australia is in a "funeral crisis".
As the population continues to grow, people are living longer than ever before, which ultimately leads to more deaths than ever before.
After hundreds of years of land reclamation and burial, Australia's burial space will sooner or later run out.
According to Andrew Hoyne, founder of Zinnia, an innovative Australian funeral solutions company, the reality is more grim than we thought.
Speaking to the audience at the South By Southwest (SXSW) conference in Sydney this week, the 56-year-old Hoyne said: "There are about 6,300 cemeteries in Australia, but only 200 are still in operation. We are about to face the dilemma of having nowhere to bury the dead. ”
Andrew Hoyne (Credit: News Corp Australia)
"Currently, there are about 180,000 deaths in Australia each year. By 2050, the mortality rate will soar to more than 300,000 per year. ”
"While 70 percent of people choose cremation, only 30 percent of the ashes are interbedded. We need more spaces for memorials. ”
"There are thousands of unclaimed ashes in funeral homes across Australia. If the family does not come to collect them after a while, the ashes will be disposed of. Funerals undoubtedly require innovative solutions. ”
(Image source: News Corp Australia)
For the past 5 years, Hoyne has been conducting research, culminating in the launch of his brainchild "Memoria by Zinnia".
This is a "space-efficient columbarium solution" in which the ashes are placed in separate vertical columns made of marble or granite.
The pillars are triangular in shape and can hold 10 urns, and a plaque on the front displays information about the deceased.
This patented Australian invention is the first of its kind in the world.
Hoyne believes that these columbariums will one day be found in many public spaces, such as parks, veterans' clubs, surf clubs, and more.
(Image source: News Corp Australia)
He explained that in many countries, it is common for the remains of the deceased to be placed in public spaces of everyday life.
"If approved, ground-level memorials in public spaces are not prohibited by law," Hoyne said, noting that his wife is from Germany, and in cities like Berlin and Copenhagen, cemeteries are often also places for children to play or family picnics.
"Placing traditional tombstones in a park scares people, but Memoria's design is more aesthetically pleasing," he said, adding that Australians tend to avoid anything related to death, which can make it difficult to have those difficult conversations and drive change.
"We have convinced ourselves that there is endless space in this vast and sparsely populated country and that there are no problems to solve, but that is wrong."
(Image source: News Corp Australia)
Hoyne's father, Bernie, who sadly passed away a few weeks ago, will be the first to be placed in the Memoria columbarium.
"My dad thought it was very innovative and it was great to see it in his hometown," Hoyne said.
"When he got sick recently, none of us thought that he would come to the end of his life, so no one discussed it further."
"My father was always passionate about new ideas. He likes to create things in his own shed, and he believes in innovation. I am absolutely sure that my father would be very proud and happy to be the first to be commemorated in Memoria. ”
Andrew Hoyne (Credit: News Corp Australia)
Hoyne revealed that despite some hesitation, many cemeteries are more than receptive to the idea of Memoria's columbarium being settled, which means that some cemeteries that have been closed for decades have the potential to reopen to the public.
"Cemeteries can give the impression of being reluctant to accept new ideas, but I am surprised by the positive feedback received," he added.
"I really feel that this vertical columbarium placement option will be welcomed by the public, the funeral and cemetery industry." "Although only 30% of the cremated remains are placed in the cemetery, I believe that providing a better option for the future will lead to a significant increase in memorial activities."
(Image source: News Corp Australia)
He said that the famous products that Australia exports to the world are not sexy or cool, but they have disrupted the industry, such as the Victa lawn mower, the Hills drying rack and so on.
"From the point of view of commercial design and product export, why not be such a product in the next 20 years?"
"This product isn't just about solving the problem of space, it's about honoring the lives of our loved ones in a way that feels right."
"We're not just dealing with a land crisis. We are reinventing the future of memorial. ”
"I really feel it's time to change the way we mourn and remember the dead."