NORWICH – The Wilson Funeral Home Inc. of Norwich is the first funeral home in Chenango County to meet Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP) standards of the New York State Funeral Directors Association (NYSFDA), announced Frank Kerbein, NYSFDA Director of Member Relations. The funeral home was awarded “Platinum” status, the most prestigious designation.

“The ESP helps member funeral homes establish business practices that reduce waste and utility costs; improve operational systems and equipment performance; provide a safer working environment for themselves, their families and their staff,” said Kerbein. A funeral home’s designation is based on an ESP scorecard.

Part of the high score earned by the funeral home relates to its partnership with NYSEG to complete thousands of dollars in energy efficiency upgrades, and its commitment to the future upgrade or replacement of certain other equipment and materials to further enhance energy efficiency.

“After the required energy audit was completed, it was clear how new technologies can benefit us and, most importantly, the families we serve,” said Douglas Wilson, owner and president of the Wilson Funeral Home. “The energy savings we will see will allow us to continue to keep funerals competitively priced and affordable,” he said.

The ESP also supports funeral homes’ use of local contractors for ESP-related work. The funeral home met the criteria due to its ongoing practice of using local businesses and contractors to complete its building and maintenance work. “Not only will these commitments benefit the families we serve, but will continue our support of other local businesses,” Wilson said.