TRADITIONAL FUNERAL CHALLENGED BY NEW WAYS OF TRANSPORT & SERVICE LOCATION

USPA NEWS - The traditionally sombre funeral is being challenged by a surge in popularity for destination funerals held in gardens, sports venues and beauty spots. There is a growing number of people who take a more humorous approach to death...

The traditionally sombre funeral is being challenged by a surge in popularity for destination funerals held in gardens, sports venues and beauty spots. There is a growing number of people who take a more humorous approach to death. There are also a number of less than conventional requests going from Lady Gaga's Bad romance to the clock of Channel Four's Countdown marking the seconds as the curtains closed at the crematorium. Hymns and classics are declining in popularity quicker than any other music or performance type. TV theme tunes and talent shows winners also are becoming popular. More and more people want to personalize funerals and celebrate their loved one's life with a fitting farewell.

According to a survey undertook by Co-operative Funeralcare, more than a third of adults said they would consider an alternative location for their own sendoff. Locations mooted included a lake river, the countryside, at home or in the garden, at a beach or out at sea. Mourners are likely to dispense with the traditional hearses, choosing buses, motorbikes, horse-drawn carriages and even white vans. A quarter of respondents said they would like their funeral guests to wear anything but black. Nearly a third of funeral directors had arranged services in the last year where the congregation wore clothing significant to the deceased, such as football shirts or fancy dress.