Green or Traditional Funerals - which type of funeral is right for you?

Funerals have evolved over the years to keep pace with consumer demands. But what is right for you - a solemn traditional style, a green eco-friendly funeral or maybe something very different!

A funeral is often perceived to be based on tradition - everyone dressed in black, travelling in black limousines following the traditional hearse; a wooden coffin as standard; a church service followed by a burial or cremation.

However, funerals are changing in line with consumer demands.

A recent survey* in 2009 found that over 50% of the consumers have indicated a preference for a 'environmenatally friendly funeral. This may involve an environmenatally friendly coffin which could be made out of cardboard; wood or wood veneer; woven from wicker, water hyacinth or bannana leaf;or manufactured from cotton or wool.

Also, natural burials are taking place more frequently in secluded woodlands, with an increasing number of people choosing to plant trees in place of a headstone.  Eco-friendly practices are becoming an important part of the way individuals wish to 'celebrate their life' through their funeral.

But with so much choice available, how can an individual decide what is their best solution?

An ideal start is to talk to you local Perfect Choice Funeral Director. Their local knowledge can be invaluable to helping you understand some of the practical issues e.g. where is the nearest woodland burial site; are their any byelaw restrictions and what are the costs likely to be. They can put together the perfect funeral plan to match both your needs and your budget.

Themed coffins depicting a favourite sport, team or interest are very popular. Hearses vary from the standard motorised to horse-drawn, motorcycle, landrover or even steam driven. There are even fireworks available to send a loved ones ashed into a moonlit sky.

What it comes down to is simply personal preference. If an individual would like a traditional funeral that's exactly what they should have. If there is a preference for environmentally friendly version or a themed coffin on a motor cycle hearse - again that should be fine.

The most important thing is that your wishes are kept to. Many people write down specific instructions in their Will regarding their funeral wishes. However, the Will is often read after the funeral and this could lead to mistakes being made.

One easy solution to preventing problems like this is by using a Perfect Choice Funeral Plan. It’s a straightforward way to ease the burden on your family. You can rest assured that your personal funeral wishes will be granted and your plan will fix the funeral director’s costs at today’s prices.

Of course, making the right choice matters and a Perfect Choice Funeral Director can guide you through the options available to ensure your funeral is right for you. Whether you require a traditional, ecological or themed funeral, your Perfect Choice Funeral Plan gives you full control of how you would like to be remembered.

This flexibility together with its built in guarantees means that more and more people are taking the Perfect Choice route.

For more information regarding the different types of funeral available, please see the Your Choice of Funeral section.

*JC Aitkinson/FMC research June 2009