Funeral Trends in the UK
The world of funerals has seen big changes in recent years, including the pandemic, rising cost of living and legislation changes. As a result, attitudes to funerals are shifting.
The tone of funerals in the UK is changing. Increasingly, people are describing funeral services as a ‘celebration of life’. 77% of funeral directors have seen a rise in these types of funerals which reflect half of the funerals taking place. The demand for traditional funerals is declining and only 15% are religious. When organising a celebration of life, the most popular elements to include are:
- Encouraging a celebration of the life – 46%
- Allowing children to attend – 35%
- Encouraging light-hearted speeches – 34%
- Inviting people to wear colourful clothing – 32%
- Invite people through social media – 27%
Technology plays a key role in modern funerals, with funerals being recorded (7%) and/or streamed live (31%). This trend started during the pandemic when congregations were not allowed, or numbers were restricted. The convenience and inclusivity technology offers have retained demand for these options.
Music is also important during funerals. The most popular songs played during funerals in 2023 were:
- Abide With Me (Various)
- My Way (Frank Sinatra)
- Amazing Grace (Various)
- You’ll Never Walk Alone (Gerry and the Pacemakers)
However, when asked what songs we want for our own funeral, the list includes:
- Good Riddance (Green Day)
- Time to Say Goodbye (Sarah Brightman/Andrea Bocelli)
- Simply the Best (Tina Turner)
- Highway to hell (AC/DC)
(Sun Life, 2024) This illustrates why it’s so important to note your wishes and discuss them with your loved ones! In fact, fewer of us are discussing our wishes for when we die:
‘A shocking 54% of us don’t know if our loved ones want to be buried or cremated – an increase of 5% on last year. In fact, 19% don’t know any of their funeral wishes at all (a rise of 1%), with only 1% claiming to know them all.’ (Sun Life’s Cost of Dying Report, 2024)
It’s time to talk! Understanding what your loved ones would like for their funerals offers peace of mind to everyone involved. This is especially true when making arrangements after someone has died.
If you would like to discuss funeral arrangements and options, please talk to the friendly team at Austin’s family funeral directors. We can suggest the best way to create the ideal send off for your loved one.
