A Unique Funeral

There are many ways you can make a truly unique and bespoke funeral to match your loved one’s wishes and make their funeral reflect how they were in life. In this post, we will look at the variety of ways in which some of these might help. There are many ways to add a personal touch to your loved one’s funeral.

A common way to do this is with flowers. I can’t count the number of funerals I have attended where there have been flowers in the shape of the badge of the deceased’s favourite football team. On top of that, sometimes the families will ask if the gentlemen bearing the coffin on the day can wear ties matching the colour of their favourite football team, e.g if their favourite football team was Chelsea (good choice) and the family requests matching ties, the gentlemen can wear Blue coloured ties. You can also have the flowers shaped into anything you might want. I once conducted a funeral for a man who was a postman for the majority of his life, and we had some flowers in the shape of a postman’s van.

Another way to make the funeral truly unique is to have a personalised coffin. There are companies around that can wrap the coffin in whatever design you would like for your loved one. This can include and is not exclusive to a personal picture you have taken on your phone. There are also many options that companies will have, for example, a coffin wrapped in a calm seaside view.

A rarer option that I occasionally see is that sometimes families will take the service themselves, instead of having a celebrant or minister take the service. This works well if you have a very organised individual who might have a good idea of how services usually are run amongst you to help make sure things go ahead smoothly, however, I would not recommend this for everyone as it takes a lot to be able to stand up and speak during the service of a loved one.

Another option is the vehicle you choose for the funeral service, as it doesn’t always have to be a traditional hearse. I’m sure you have heard of Motorcycle hearses before, but there is now a large variety of options available, including a recent new addition to our fleet of cars at Ford Mears, a fully electric hearse for those slightly more eco-conscious.

Creating a unique funeral is about celebrating the individuality of your loved one and honouring their life in a way that feels personal and meaningful. Traditional services can be beautiful, but tailoring the experience to reflect their passions, values, and personality can make it truly special.

Start by considering their hobbies, interests, and the moments that defined their life. Did they have a favourite colour, song, or place? Incorporating these elements can add a personal touch. For instance, a nature lover might have a service outdoors, surrounded by greenery and flowers they adored. Music enthusiasts might have their favourite songs played or even a live performance.

Personalised tributes, like memory boards, video montages, or storytelling sessions, allow family and friends to share their cherished memories. You could also create keepsakes, such as custom candles, bookmarks, or seed packets, for attendees to take home as a lasting reminder.

Don’t forget to involve those closest to them in the planning process. Their input can bring fresh ideas and ensure the service resonates with everyone. Ultimately, a unique funeral is about honouring the essence of your loved one, creating a heartfelt goodbye that celebrates their life in all its uniqueness.

No matter what option you choose, there are always multiple ways you can tailor a service to be exactly what you are looking for. If you are struggling to think of any, feel free to ask your funeral director for suggestions or ideas.