FAREWELLS to Royals and the famous, from Princess Diana to Jade Goody, have transformed modern funeral customs, according to a major UK study* released today (Jan 24 2011).
Begins a spokesperson: “Research by The Co-operative Funeralcare has found that favourite pop songs – like Candle in the Wind – football teams and hobbies have become the norm at one in three funerals. And half of today’s send-offs are a celebration of life and one in ten includes no religion at all.
“The Co-operative Funeralcare, recognised as Scotland’s largest funeral provider, responsible for 16,500 funerals each year, conducted the research* across its network of 120 funeral homes in Scotland.
“The study is backed by the findings of a new ICM poll** of 2,000 British adults which revealed that more than half of the Scottish population (57 per cent) would prefer a celebration at their send off, and almost half (47 per cent) would opt for a day that reflects their favourite hobby, colour, footie team or music.
Leading funeral historian, Dr Julian Litten, said: “The funerals of Princess Diana and Jade Goody have opened peoples’ eyes to the array of choices available from cars to coffins, pop songs to white doves. Most importantly today’s funerals are increasingly a celebration of life rather than mourning a loss.”
The spokesperson added: “Funeral directors at The Co-operative Funeralcare report requests for pink Cadillacs, milk-floats, motorbikes and even a tandem bicycle alongside traditional hearses.
“Mourners are wearing bright colours, watching firework displays, blowing bubbles and releasing balloons. But Scottish families are still more likely to want to carry the coffin than in other parts of the UK, and the Scottish tradition of lowering the coffin with cords still remains in Northern areas.”
The Co-operative Funeralcare’s study of funeral customs in the UK has been developed into a booklet called The Ways We Say Goodbye. It also revealed:
• Three out of ten funerals include personalised flowers, such as to ‘mum’ or ‘dad’. Floral tributes have included a pint of Guinness, a cricket bat and a pigeon.
• Religious music is declining and love songs through to popular TV theme songs (match of the day, cricket) are becoming more popular. The top three songs are My Way (Frank Sinatra or Shirley Bassey), Wind Beneath My Wings (Bette Midler or Celine Dion) and Time To Say Goodbye (Sarah Brightman/Andrea Bocelli)***.
• One in 20 coffins is bespoke; requests have included a Lancaster bomber, a Tardis and a yacht. The choice of materials now includes wood, cardboard, wicker and even wool. People are also decorating coffins with flowers, images, flags or even clothing, such as tartan.
• In 60 per cent of funerals the deceased is dressed in clothes that reflect their life, job or hobby. More unusual outfit requests have included a clown costume, cyclists’ lycra, fishermen’s waders and divers’ wet suits****. Common requests include wedding dresses, football strips, military uniforms, kilts and bikers leathers.
• A new trend for ‘live’ webcasts of funeral ceremonies for family and friends unable to attend the service in person.
Commenting on the research findings, John Williamson, sector manager – North, The Co-operative Funeralcare, said: “Our research, the largest study of funeral customs ever undertaken, reveals a significant shift in attitude. Funeral directors are going to great lengths to accommodate a wide range of special requests as funerals become more a celebration of life.”
The Ways We Say Goodbye booklet has been produced by The Co-operative Funeralcare and will be available from its 120 funeral homes in Scotland. A copy of the booklet can also be downloaded from The Co-operative Funeralcare website: www.co-operativefuneralcare.co.uk
However, while funerals are becoming more modern, many people’s wishes for their funeral will remain a secret to the grave. An independent survey by ICM shows that funerals remain a taboo with 52 per cent of Scots refusing to talk about their own funeral wishes with friends and family.
- ends –
Notes to editors:
* The research into customs and practices was conducted among Funeral Directors from 559 of The Co-operative Funeralcare’s branches across the UK. Its key findings were:
49 per cent of funerals where tone is of celebration rather than mourning
67 per cent traditional funerals, 21 per cent contemporary, 12 per cent humanist
31 per cent of funerals involve personal input from mourners
35 per cent involve flowers personalised to deceased
six per cent of coffins personalised
59 per cent of deceased dressed in their own clothes
36 per cent of funerals have purely religious music, 64 per cent contemporary, classical or mixture of music
** 2,000 British adults were polled by ICM Omnibus. Thinking about your funeral would you prefer it to be?
a celebration which is more personal to you? Total 54 per cent Scotland 57 per cent
traditional (such as a church service)? Total 27 per cent Scotland 23 per cent
Have you ever discussed with family and friends what you would like for your own funeral?
yes Total 41 per cent Scotland 45 per cent
no Total 55 per cent Scotland 52 per cent
Would you like your funeral to be personalised to reflect any of the following?
music by favourite artist Total 40 per cent Scotland 37 per cent
favourite hobby Total 12 per cent Scotland 14 per cent
favourite colour Total nine per cent Scotland nine per cent
favourite football team Total six per cent Scotland three per cent
net: music, hobby, colour, football team Total 48 per cent Scotland 47 per cent
*** Top ten funeral songs in 2009:
1. My Way – Frank Sinatra/Shirley Bassey
2. Wind Beneath My Wings – Bette Midler/Celine Dion
3. Time To Say Goodbye – Sarah Brightman/Andrea Bocelli
4. Angels – Robbie Williams
5. Over The Rainbow – Eva Cassidy
6. You Raise Me Up – Westlife/Boyzone/Josh Grobin
7. My Heart Will Go On – Celine Dion
8. I Will Always Love You – Whitney Houston
9. You’ll Never Walk Alone – Gerry and the Pacemakers
10. Unforgettable – Nat King Cole
**** Although these requests have been made, they cannot all be accommodated due to cremation regulations in some areas.
About The Co-operative Group
The Co-operative Group stands apart from other major retailers in the UK as a business which is owned, not by a small group of shareholders, but by more than five million consumers. With core interests in food, financial services, travel, pharmacy, funerals and farms, it has an annual turnover of £14 billion, employs 120,000 staff and operates over 5,000 retail trading outlets serving more than 20 million customers per week.
Following the acquisition of the Somerfield supermarket chain in March 2009, The Co-operative Food is the UK’s fifth largest food retailer. The Co-operative Financial Services is one of the largest and most diversified financial mutual businesses, operating The Co-operative Bank, The Co-operative Insurance and Britannia.
The Co-operative is acknowledged as the UK’s number one provider of funeral services, the third largest retail pharmacy chain, a leading travel retailer, supplying the travel needs of more than three million people annually, and is the UK’s largest farmer.
Among its other businesses are The Co-operative Motor Group, The Co-operative Electrical and The Co-operative Legal Services.
For further information please contact:
Craig Noonan
PR Manager
Tel: 0161 266 3589 or 07702 505439
Email: craig.noonan@co-operative.coop
Suzanne Judge
Judge and Howard
0161 838 5621
suzanne@judgeandhoward.com
Kate Jones
Judge and Howard
0161 838 5623
kate@judgeandhoward.com
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