From a Viking theme to a Game of Thrones send-off, Central England Co-operative today publishes new research that showcases how people are having a greater say on planning and personalising their own unique funeral.

Based on the feedback of colleagues from more than 100 funeral homes, Central England Co-op has found that there is an increasing public demand for out of the ordinary funerals, dress, transport and flowers.

Some are choosing to personalise their coffins

Central England Co-operative funeral branches in East Staffordshire and South Derbyshire include: Central England Co-operative has funeral homes across East Staffordshire, South Derbyshire and North West Leicestershire. These include: Wellings, in Derby Street, Burton; Central England Co-operative Funeralcare, in Derby Street, Burton; Ward and Brewin, in Swadlincote and Woodville; J H Grice, Hatton; W B Bradford Funeral Services, in Measham; A E Grice Funeral Services, in Ashby; and Bretby Crematorium.

Data collected by the society has revealed that funeral directors are now regularly receiving a wide range of requests to personalise all elements of funerals in a bid to make each service unique to the person involved.

Some of the most recent examples from the past 12 months include:

  • A gardener who had his funeral ceremony in his own garden;
  • A Volkswagen camper van, tractor and even a 1940s ambulance being used as an alternative to a hearse;
  • A mixture of different-coloured clothing for funeral directors and congregation including pink and yellow;
  • Coffins decorated with personal family photos – with one even being covered in photos of the hit pop band Abba;
  • Floral tributes in the form of a sewing machine, a 3D cat, a mini and even a tank; and
  • A Viking-themed funeral which included a coffin in the shape of a Viking longboat.

The choice of music is another extremely personal touch with Central England Co-op research revealing that while old favourites such as Frank Sinatra’s My Way and Robbie Williams Angels are still popular, the likes of Adele, Sam Smith and even the Games of Thrones theme tune are now being requested just as much.

This shift towards personalisation has also coincided with a notable rise in people opting to sign up to pre-paid funeral plans or to fill out a funeral wishes form to ensure they get the tailored send-off that they want and also to ensure that the costs do not fall on their family following their death.

Kevin Crute, head of funeral at Central England Co-operative, said: "Colleagues across our funeral homes have seen a notable rise in people wanting to personalise their funerals.

A horse and carriage will often provide transport

"Our funeral directors and arrangers do everything they can to help families during their time of need and helping people to personalise their loved ones funeral to make it unique to them and reflect the live they have lived.

"This is why planning ahead and speaking to family and friends about your wishes is now so important."

Almost every part of a funeral can now be personalised. People can express their personality through the choice of coffin with everything from personal images to superhero themed versions now available.

Flowers can also be shaped into practically any shape or design and mourners are also now more likely than ever to dispense with the traditional hearse, instead turning to vehicles such as Central England Co-operative’s rocket hearse, which was originally a Triumph Rocket III motorcycle.

The society has also recently invested in a new fleet of silver vehicles including hearses and limousines.

With more focus being placed on funerals being a celebration of life, mourners can also be encouraged to wear more relaxed clothes such as a loved one’s favourite colour or sports team kit.

Top 10 requests for funeral songs at Central England Co-operative

Funeral directors are seeing higher demand for alternative music options for services than ever before, with some of the requests over the last twelve months as follows:

  1. My Way – Frank Sinatra.
  2. Adele – Hello.
  3. Robbie Williams – Angels.
  4. Westlife – You Raise Me Up.
  5. Over the Rainbow – Eva Cassidy.
  6. We’ll Meet Again – Vera Lynn.
  7. Always look on the bright side of life – Eric Idle.
  8. Sam Smith – Lay Me Down.
  9. Games of Throne theme.
  10. Wind Beneath My Wings – Celine Dion.