Traditional sombre funerals in religious settings are increasingly being replaced by “celebrations of life” with personal touches held at more unusual locations in the UK, according to a study.
Dr Who-themed farewells, glittery coffins and mourners dressed in football shirts are among requests received by funeral directors.
Location requests received have included Hampton Court Palace, a betting shop, a castle, a farm, in woods, on a London bus, at an angling club and in a cricket pavilion.
Pets, it seems, are also increasingly being invited to attend their late owner’s funeral.
Sentimental items placed inside a coffin over the last five years have included cigarettes and a mobile phone, bingo items and a snooker cue, funeral directors reported.
Sixty-eight per cent of people believe funerals should be more of a celebration than a time of reflection, up from 58% in 2019, the study by Co-op Funeralcare found.
The study, largely based on information from more than 500,000 funerals carried out by Co-op Funeralcare’s funeral directors over the last five years, highlights a trend towards more personalised services.
Almost six in 10 funeral directors (57%) reported an increase in requests for services to take place outside traditional religious settings, while almost half of those surveyed (48%) said they had attended a funeral in a non-traditional setting over the last year.
Eighty-nine per cent of funeral directors said they had arranged a service in the last five years involving mourners who had been asked to wear their loved one’s favourite colour.
Three-quarters (75%) had received requests for pets to attend the funeral, while 62% of people surveyed said it is important that pets are able to attend their owner’s service.
Almost a third of funeral directors (31%) said they have seen people posting on social media from a funeral, while almost a fifth (18%) have seen people taking selfies.
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Gill Stewart, the managing director at Co-op Funeralcare, said: “Since our previous report in 2019, many factors – including the pandemic – have made people think about the subject of death and funerals much more.
“With this new report, we want to encourage the nation to talk to their loved ones about their funeral wishes, whether that be putting plans in place or even discussing a favourite song choice.
“Whilst it can feel daunting, it can help make an otherwise difficult time that little bit easier if plans are known or in place for when they’re needed.”