Not so long ago, funerals in the UK were all very similar. Most involved a religious service, followed by a burial or cremation. The order of service might vary according to faith, but mourners wore black, and the hearses, hymns, and even flowers were very familiar.
Today, with British society more diverse than it’s ever been, funerals are less likely to follow a fixed format. For many people, funeral venues, vehicles, music and dress codes have become a reflection of personal preferences, rather than tradition.
According to SunLife’s Cost of Dying Report 2023, almost half of all funeral services in 2022 were described as a ‘celebration of life’. This is typically seen as a more upbeat alternative to the traditional funeral. More than 80% of funeral directors said they have seen a rise in the number of ‘celebration of life’ funerals. 70% saw a drop in traditional, religious funerals.
The decline in traditional funeral services could be related to a broad drop in the number of British people professing a religious belief. In 2020, the British Social Attitudes survey showed that 53% of the population saw themselves as having no religion. However, it may also be a sign that modern society is simply more willing to accept personal preferences.
Modern funeral trends
The move away from traditional funerals has led to an approach to funeral planning described as ‘modern’ and ‘casual’ in SunLife’s research. It highlights a number of areas where traditional approaches to funeral arrangements have given way to more contemporary attitudes.
Changes range from light-hearted speeches, to allowing children to attend funeral ceremonies. Almost a quarter of people arranging a funeral set a non-traditional dress code, asking mourners to wear colourful clothing rather than black.
Individual taste is reflected in personalised coffins, music choices, and requests to donate to charities. Eco-friendly funerals are also becoming more popular, as people consider the environmental impact of their final send-off.
Technology
Modern funerals are also more reliant on technology. The Cost of Dying Report 2023 notes that live streaming, indispensable during COVID-19 restrictions, is still being used in almost 40% of funerals. And social media accounts for over 25% of funeral invites.
Financial funeral trends
Other funeral trends have been driven by cost concerns. Direct cremation- an unattended alternative to a standard funeral which involves no formal service- has continued to become more popular. This follows a huge increase in general awareness during the COVID-19 pandemic. 71% of people are now aware of direct cremations, up from 52% in 2019. As an affordable alternative, direct cremation is likely to factor as a major trend in the future.
With more traditional funeral services, people are shopping around more and cutting back on their spending. Reducing spending on extras is increasingly common. SunLife’s research shows people are saving mainly on coffins, flowers, and catering.
Whatever type of funeral you choose, it's important to make sure you get the final send-off that you desire. A funeral plan is an easy way to set out your final wishes, and save your family worry and expense at a difficult time. Visit our funeral plans page for information on our full range of funeral plans.
