Sustainable Investing Meets Sustainable Living: Rethinking End-of-Life Planning
In the first Dollars & Change episode of 2026, host Peter Krull was joined by Mallory McDuff, environmental educator, author, and longtime Warren Wilson College faculty member. The conversation explored a rarely discussed topic: sustainable end-of-life planning.
While investing conversations often focus on how we grow and protect wealth, this episode challenged listeners to consider how their final decisions can also reflect their values.
From Personal Loss to Purposeful Inquiry
Mallory’s interest in end-of-life planning is profoundly personal. She was raised in a family where stewardship, faith, and cost-conscious living were closely connected, and she grew up frequently hearing her father speak openly about how he wanted to be buried.
Tragically, Mallory lost both of her parents in separate cycling accidents just two years apart. While the loss was devastating, her father’s thoughtful preparation offered clear guidance and intention during an otherwise overwhelming time. That experience ultimately inspired her book, Our Last Best Act, which examines how end-of-life decisions can align with values of conservation, community, and care.
Expanding the Definition of Green Choices
Many people assume their only end-of-life options are traditional burials or cremation. Mallory explained that the landscape is far more expansive and quickly evolving. Some of the options discussed include Aquamation (water cremation), a lower-impact alternative to flame cremation that uses water and alkaline solutions. Another option is conservation cemeteries, where burials protect land through conservation easements.
These strategies usually cost significantly less than conventional burials, reduce environmental harm, and allow individuals to make intentional choices about their legacy.
Why These Conversations Matter—Especially in Financial Planning
One of the episode’s central themes was the importance of planning ahead. Decisions around death are often made during periods of mourning, when families are emotionally overwhelmed and vulnerable to avoidable costs or default choices.
Mallory emphasized that having conversations early is a gift to loved ones. It offers clarity, reduces monetary stress, and makes certain that final wishes reflect personal values instead of assumptions or industry norms.
A Wider View of Legacy
This conversation acts as a strong reminder that sustainability isn’t limited to how we invest or live—it extends to how we plan for the end of life. By aligning financial decisions with environmental and ethical values, individuals can ensure their legacy reflects not just what they accumulated but also what they stood for.
To learn more about Mallory and how to include sustainability in your end-of-life planning, listen to the full episode here.
Check out some of our recent episodes:
- Iyassu Essayas, Board Member of US SIF, and the Chief Executive Officer of Inflows, discusses the next generation of ESG.
- Mark Hays, Director of Sustainable Investing at Glenmede, discusses the themes leading sustainable investing today.
- Chris Castro, Founding Director, Executive Vice President, and Chief Sustainability Officer at Climate First Bank, explains how to align your portfolio with sustainability, resilience, and innovation.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic. Share your feedback or suggest future topics by contacting us at info@earthequityadvisors.com.
Be good. Invest better.
The Earth Equity Team
