New research reveals people’s preferences for funerals

There is what the organisation describes as a huge preference for personalised services.
The research, involving more than 2,000 people aged over 55 who have planned a funeral over the past five years, revealed that three in four people (77%) think it is essential to say a proper goodbye, despite the rise of unattended cremations in recent years, while 92% of respondents said that having a personalised service is important.
The research results have been revealed in the run up to National Grief Awareness Day -Sunday 30 August - which aims to encourage open dialogue about loss and to break the social stigma which makes people hesitant to talk about death, dying, mourning and their wishes.
Ed Lane, Managing Director – Crematoria and Cemeteries, said: “Our research results reinforce the importance of funerals not just as ceremonies, but as critical moments for connection, reflection and healing during time of grief.
“In fact, 77% of our respondents agreed that a funeral service is important for people to come together and support each other when they are grieving a loss of a loved one.
“Personalisation, from music choices to readings, inclusion of meaningful items within the service, to allowing family pets to attend services, are just a few requests which we regularly make possible for families.
“These small, but meaningful, details all play a key role in helping families create a farewell that truly reflects the life lived, supporting healthier grieving.
“The findings highlight an urgent need to normalise conversations about death and funeral planning but also understand what kind of funeral service the most fitting choice for a loved one would be.
“Families don’t journey through grief alone. We foster meaningful connections in our communities through educational efforts and advocacy for compassionate conversations around death and bereavement - providing comfort, clarity and support long after the service is over.
“By discussing wishes in advance, individuals can ease the burden on loved ones, reduce stress and uncertainty and help ensure a more meaningful, personalised farewell.
“Grief Awareness Day offers a timely opportunity for families to begin those discussions.”
The research undertaken reflects the aims of Grief Awareness Day, as it revealed that a reluctance among the UK public to plan for their death or discuss their final wishes remains a major barrier to families being able to have that proper goodbye for their loved ones.
Despite a strong appetite for meaningful services, many families are left without guidance when the time comes, with 65% of those who arranged a funeral having had no, or only partial, instructions from their loved one.
A reluctance among the UK public to plan for their death or discuss their final wishes remains a major barrier to families being able to have that proper goodbye for their loved ones.
The research identified that 54% of people find it difficult to discuss their own death with family, often describing it as “uncomfortable”, 53% have either made no funeral plans or have kept them private and just 12% have a paid funeral plan in place.
This lack of communication, the company says, has created what can be described as a “Great Silence,” leaving families unprepared and uncertain at one of the most challenging times of their lives.
Without clear guidance, families are forced to make difficult decisions at the time of grief, often leading to stress, conflict and lingering doubt during an already emotional time, with 82% of respondents saying that they found organising a funeral stressful and 55% regretting not having more conversations about final wishes.
North Wiltshire Crematorium is part of Westerleigh Group, one of the UK’s largest independent owners and operators of crematoria and cemeteries, with 42 sites in England, Scotland, and Wales, and which is trusted by more families than any other provider to deliver funerals for their loved ones.
Anyone who has questions, ever wondered what happens at a crematorium or what is possible, is encouraged to visit or speak to North Wiltshire Crematorium, which has an open-door policy so families can even view behind the scenes (if they wish) for complete peace of mind and myth busting.
To find out more, or to arrange a visit, go to: www.northwiltshirecrematorium.co.uk.
To explore a range of Westerleigh Funeral Plans, go to: www.westerleighgroup.co.uk/funeral-plans
Further information about Westerleigh Group’s research can be found here: www.westerleighgroup.co.uk/meaningful-goodbyes.pdf
 

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