NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, sustainable deathcare startup Pisces launched its consumer-facing platform. The company provides a more sustainable, human-centered end-of-life option to individuals in California, with plans to expand nationwide in the near future.
Pisces is amplifying access to a more environmentally sustainable method of human disposition, a process that has traditionally only included two options - burial or cremation. Both legacy methods have significant negative impacts on the environment. In the US alone, cremations accounted for over 360 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions in 2021, as well as the use of 44 million gallons of fuel. Burial, often paired with embalming and a casket, leaches toxic chemicals into the surrounding air and soil. Caskets use enough wood annually to build 4.5 million homes, with increasing deforestation underway to make space for growing cemeteries. In addition, maintaining a visually appealing cemetery requires a never-ending draw on labor and water resources.
“When looking at the funeral industry, it became obvious there was a significant opportunity for improvement,” said Pisces founder and CEO, Christopher Taktak. “While we have seen a rise in more earth-friendly disposition methods in the last decade, many of these new options are space prohibitive, expensive, and inaccessible to the average family. The Pisces process leverages alkaline hydrolysis, which is the most earth-friendly option and one that can scale without requiring large plots of land or lengthy wait-lists.”
Alkaline hydrolysis, which uses a mix of water and natural alkali salts to dissolve bodies rather than burn them, is a quick, sustainable process that removes the fossil fuel emissions of cremation and the land maintenance requirements of burial. The resulting product, fine white ashes that are returned to the family, allows for the ceremonial process of cremation without the fire-laden pollution.
“While opening up access to alkaline hydrolysis is a major component of our business, it’s only one piece of the Pisces framework,” continued Taktak. “When researching the funeral industry, I became concerned by the 'profit over people' sales methods and the predatory practices that are all-too-common in the space. The Pisces ethos is human-first, always, with a maximized customer service experience. Losing a loved one and navigating the end-of-life process is painful and traumatic, and we want to make that transition as easy and peaceful as possible.”
The Pisces service is considered “direct” – meaning that funeral arrangements are made online, and no funeral home visit is required. This allows for cost savings to consumers, and a simplified experience that is not laden with upselling or hidden fees. The Pisces model lends itself to an increase in families opting for “life-centered experiences” over traditional funeral services. These experiences might not include the body of the deceased, and often focus on celebrating a certain characteristic or value of the loved one. With its state-wide logistics network, easy online experience, and an always-on-call customer service team, Pisces hopes to streamline the end-of-life process so families can celebrate and grieve in peace.
Pisces is based in Los Angeles and currently offers services in California, with expansion to new states slated for early 2023. For more information on Pisces, please visit: https://www.withpisces.com
ABOUT PISCES
Pisces is a modern deathcare service that provides a sustainable, human-centered experience to those navigating the end-of-life process. With a direct-to-consumer platform and an always-on customer service center, Pisces makes navigating a loss stress-free and simple. Pisces was founded in 2020 in California and will expand nationwide in early 2023. For more information, see www.withpisces.com.
