Congleton: More than a third of Brits feel that a funeral is too dark and sombre – according to a 2021 Co-op Funeralcare research study.

Personalised funerals could well become the most popular way to conduct a funeral in future – turning it into a real celebration of a loved one's life. 

"It's increasingly clear that the traditional funeral does not appeal to the majority of us," says Sam Tyrer, managing director of Co-op Funeralcare.

At Co-op Funeralcare Congleton, colleagues share a commitment to organising a funeral however you want it. 

A funeralcare Tardis (The Co-op).

Here are some personal funeral ideas for creating a truly personal send-off.

Instead of a church - the great outdoors

Why not have a funeral in the great outdoors? 

The Co-op report found that nearly 70 per cent of Brits say it is not important for their funeral to be held in a religious setting. 

Did you know you can hold a funeral in many non-religious locations, such as a favourite beauty spot in the countryside?

Co-op Funeralcare Congleton can offer advice on making alternative funeral arrangements.  

Instead of dressing in black - fancy dress?

Co-op Funeralcare research found that only 13 per cent of us want a dark dress code at our funeral, with 22 per cent preferring friends and family to wear bright colours.

Fancy dress is also becoming popular - it's not unusual to see superheroes, video game figures or even comic book characters at a funeral today. 

If you would like a particular dress code at your funeral, talk to friends and family so they know exactly what you want your send-off to look like. 

Instead of a traditional flower displays – bespoke blooms

A modern rose large hatbox (The Co-op).

While conventional flower arrangements can be comforting, why not express a personality with a display that commemorates a favourite hobby, pet, collectable or colour?

Talk to your florist or funeral home about creating an original funeral flower display. 

Instead of a hearse - a motorbike

The transport for your final journey can be personalised – as demonstrated by the Duke of Edinburgh who chose a modified Land Rover for his funeral.

You could choose anything from a motorbike to a campervan, or how about a horse drawn carriage or bicycle hearse.

Perhaps there is a special place you would like the funeral route to pass by, like the place a loved one proposed or your home team's football stadium.

Talk to your funeral director so they can make sure nothing is overlooked on the day. 

A tandem bicycle hearse (The Co-op).

Instead of a wooden coffin - your own design 

Create something that's totally you.

Co-op Funeralcare can help you create a truly personal design.

They can create unique caskets. Designs have included boats, ballet shoes and even the Tardis.

Or you could choose a chalkboard coffin, so family and friends can write their own goodbyes on it.

Instead of religious readings - a book

You could pick a poem or a passage from a favourite book to be read aloud at the funeral service.

The service itself can be an individual celebration. It doesn't have to include traditional hymns or religious readings.

You can choose poems or ask guests to recite favourite song lyrics. 

There are no rules when it comes to arranging a personalised funeral - everything can be planned to suit your wishes, from the setting to the songs.

For more information on funeral options, you can contact Co-op Funeralcare Congleton 24 hours a day.

You can call Co-op Funeralcare Congleton of 20 West Street on 01260 270290.

You can read the full Co-op Funeralcare Media Report July 2021 here.