Funeral trends

One funeral trend is personalisation

It’s the age of all baby boomers and find themselves having to plan funerals for loved ones and themselves, they are making funeral choices based on values that are different than previous generations. The funeral trends of baby boomers see funerals as a valuable part of the grieving process and are seeking ways to make a funeral meaningful. Today, funeral service consumers are planning funeral services that are as unique as the person who died. A personal touch in form of the idea of personalization has resulted in an explosion of unique services that reflect the hobbies, passions and interests of someone who has died. Through personalization, funeral services can be more meaningful. Funeral directors can offer ideas on how families can personalize their loved one’s funeral and are open to family suggestions and creativity. We encourage all funeral service consumers to discuss their ideas with the funeral director to ensure an individualized ceremony fitting of the person who died.

Advanced funeral planning

No one likes to think about death and funerals, but an increasing number of adults find that preparing for the inevitable is a wise decision. Planning one’s funeral in advance allows individuals to do their homework and select a funeral home that will meet the emotional and financial needs of their family. Planning funerals in advance allows individuals to plan a memorable funeral service that reflects their wishes and personalisation. With advance planning, families today can plan celebrations of life as unique as the individual being remembered. Today’s funerals include adding personal touches such as favourite music and incorporating hobbies and life’s accomplishments. An funeral director can walk you through the decisions necessary to create a meaningful funeral service. Planning one’s funeral in advance does not mean one must prepay for the funeral. Many people who preplan their funeral also choose to prepay because it will alleviate the financial burden for their families. There are several ways to prepay for a funeral and a licensed funeral director can help individuals choose the method that best suits their needs.

Cremation is increasing

The public’s preference for cremation continues to rise. In 2017, projects that the rate of cremation will exceed that of burial. As the popularity of cremations has grown, so has its acceptance among various religious faiths. Religions that previously frowned upon cremation are now understanding its value to families and adjusting their doctrines to accommodate this choice. Cremation is just one way a family can lay their loved one to rest; it is another option in addition to earth burial or entombment in a mausoleum. Cremation does not preclude a visitation or funeral service. A visitation and/or funeral with the body present can be held prior to cremation. Alternatively, a memorial service with the cremated remains present, can be held after the body has been cremated.

Meeting needs through technology

In recent years, people rely on the Internet as a leading resource for information. In response, businesses have increased their presence on the web and funeral service is no exception. In order to enhance service to families and community, most funeral homes now have their own website, which enables funeral homes to easily display their products and services, and in turn, offers consumers the freedom to conduct research at-will. Many funeral homes can help families create memorial, videos which include photographs accompanied by music. These videos can be shown at visitation or funeral service and are a special keepsake to treasure forever a loved one. Because visitation and memorial services often take place shortly after a person’s death, it may be impossible for all family members and friends, especially those living far away, to attend these functions. Some funeral homes have begun to accommodate those distant loved ones by providing a live online broadcast of the funeral service. These broadcasts can be archived on the funeral home’s website for viewing at a later date or made into a DVD the family can keep. There are a lot of specialized apps for funeral, burial or cremation that will help finding, what you are searching for. Advance technology will help consumers with a funeral service.

Environmental friendly and green

One of the best funeral trends is, being green in the funeral market is a natural consequence of today’s eco-consciousness. Consumer lifestyles and values, whether environmental, spiritual, philosophical or conservation oriented, are reflected in consumer attitudes toward products and services in the market and affect decision making. This includes attitudes toward death and funerals. Green funeral choices are expected to grow in popularity in the world as this eco-consciousness grows. As with the concept of “green” in general, green in funeral service means practising environmental consciousness and being eco-friendly. It encompasses green funeral homes, green funerals, and natural burial. Today, funeral directors have the opportunity to adopt green practices to meet the needs of the families they serve. A green funeral incorporates environmentally-friendly options in order to meet the needs of a family requesting a green service. Depending on a family’s preferences, a green funeral can include any or all of the following: a small gathering in a natural setting, use of only recycled paper products, locally-grown organic flowers, carpooling, organic food, no embalming or embalming with formaldehyde-free products, the use of sustainable biodegradable clothing, shroud or casket, and natural or green burial. In natural burial, the body is buried, without embalming, in a natural setting. Any shroud or casket that is used must be biodegradable, non-toxic, and of sustainable material. Traditional standing headstones are not permitted. Instead, flat rocks, plants or trees may serve as grave markers. Also there are “green cremations” this means that the cremation is environmental friendly. And that a crematory can have corporate social responsibility (CSR). And reducement of the CO₂ foot print make green cremations possible. For future funeral trends we could say that the green aspect is one that will increase. So that a green burial or cremation equipment will become mandatory.