A beautiful gravestone is an important part for all the bereaved when it comes to the burial of a loved one. However, nowadays it is not only about a 'beautiful' gravestone; many people want to ensure that the gravestone comes from an ethical source and production.
We would like to explain in more detail what this means and whether there are guarantees for this today.
Gravestones and the Development During Globalization
Initially, it was exclusively the master stonemasons and sculptors who crafted gravestones by hand. Nowadays, specialized stone processing machines are mostly used.
Since globalization in the last century, the majority of natural stones used as gravestones come from countries like China and India. Unfortunately, in some factories where these stones are extracted and processed, child labor and forced labor are still used.
Customers want to prevent this hazardous and unhealthy labor by opting for gravestones made from ethically sourced and produced materials.
Gravestones Imported from Abroad - Is Ethical Production Guaranteed?
To keep the costs of natural stone production low, manufacturers across many industries source materials from abroad, primarily China and India. India, in particular, is known for its abundant natural stone resources.
As previously mentioned, it is not uncommon in these countries for child labor to occur, for poor working conditions to prevail, or for wages to fall below the minimum wage.
To prevent this and ensure that gravestones are ethically sourced and produced, many organizations now provide companies with certificates or labels if they meet the criteria for fair working and social conditions.
Certificates for Ethically Sourced Gravestones
Various industries purchase natural stone from abroad, as it is not only suitable for gravestones but also for flooring, countertops, and much more.
Therefore, there is no specific certificate or label for gravestones but rather general certifications for natural stones from abroad. Below are some of these certifications:
IGEP - Indo-German Export Promotion Projects
IGEP is a private, non-profit project focused on export promotion and cooperation with Germany.
IGEP ensures proper production according to prescribed standards and norms, both domestically and internationally. This means all social standards are met, and there is no child labor or forced labor, with safe and healthy working conditions in place.
XertifiX (Plus)
XertifiX e.V. is based in Freiburg and was founded in collaboration with the children's aid organization MISEREOR. To receive the XertifiX certificate, certain basic conditions for production must be met.
These conditions include:
- No child labor
- No forced labor
- Payment of minimum wage
- Workplace safety measures
- Etc.
In addition to the standard XertifiX certificate, the organization also issues the 'XertifiX Plus' certificate, which requires compliance with additional conditions from their catalog.
WiN - WIN Fair Stone
The WiN - WIN Fair Stone label is a sustainability label from WIN=WIN GmbH. It was developed in collaboration with German natural stone traders and numerous other industry experts.
To receive the WiN - WIN Fair Stone sustainability label, various conditions, divided into four levels, must be met:
- Organization and Management
- Health and Safety at Work
- Labor Law Criteria
- Environmental Protection Criteria
Each of these levels has further sub-criteria, such as traceability of the natural stone, payment of minimum wage, and absence of child or forced labor, among others.
TFT Responsible Stone Program
The TFT Responsible Stone Program is not a certificate or label but an organization comprising numerous members from the stone processing industry. All members agree to adhere to the rules and working conditions of the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The TFT Responsible Stone Program is divided into three levels:
- Level 1: No child or forced labor, minimum wage, etc.
- Level 2: Environmental protection, regulated working hours, etc.
- Level 3: Above-average pay, excellent working conditions, etc.
Conclusion
If you want to ensure that you are purchasing a gravestone from an ethical source and production, you should always look for the above-mentioned certificates and labels or inquire with the seller.
The main issue with most organizations that provide these certifications and labels is that they usually conduct corresponding inspections only every 1-2 years. Continuous monitoring to ensure all criteria are met is often not feasible for these partly private organizations.
If you really want to be certain that the highest standards are upheld and that neither child nor forced labor was used in production, you should opt for natural stone from your region, as we do at Gravestone Stonemason. You can find all our gravestones from our own production here.