Hull residents are increasingly turning their backs on traditional religious funeral services, opting instead for diverse and sometimes eccentric celebrations of life, according to Hull Co-op Funeralcare.
A Chinese takeaway, a false leg and a Wizard of Oz costume have been revealed as some of the most unique items people have asked to be buried with, according to the UK’s largest report into funeral trends from the Co-op.
Based on insight from its funeral directors, from over 500,000 funerals conducted in the last five years and the views of 4,000 British adults, the report reveals the most unique things people have asked to take with them in East Riding of Yorkshire.
The research also finds 85% of local funeral directors in East Riding of Yorkshire think families are now more open to unique funerals compared to five years ago.
Roger Mathers, Funeral Director at Hull Funeralcare, comments: “Placing items inside coffins dates back centuries, but what we’re seeing now is a shift in more people choosing exactly which personal items they want to be buried with.
“Sometimes, those items are sentimental to the deceased such as love letters, photographs and wedding rings. Others choose eccentric items specifically to make people laugh such as a Chinese takeaway… it can be a real talking point and put a smile on the faces of loved ones left behind.”
Coffin Keepsakes Can Be Unusual
Roger concludes: “More than ever, we’re seeing an increased demand for people who want to celebrate their unique lives and the ways in which we can help them do that are endless. Over the years, we’ve certainly seen our fair share of unusual requests. But it’s those personal touches that make a funeral truly unique and we’re truly privileged to be able to help families with that.”
When it comes to Brits’ final resting places, it’s clear that what lies beside them is important.
Despite the fact that almost half (46%) of people have given their funeral not very much or no thought at all. A fifth (22%) of people have already made decisions about what they would want to be placed inside their coffin.
Almost half (49%) would choose photographs, over a quarter (27%) would want a teddy bear. While over a fifth (22%) would choose jewellery.
Almost a fifth (17%) would opt for letters, over a tenth (13%) would choose a book and a further tenth (12%) would want a bottle of their favourite tipple.
Furthermore, British humour rings true as a sixth (15%) of people anticipate a great escape, opting for torches and mobile phones within their coffins. Others wanted an alarm button.
Top 20 most unusual items that have been placed inside a coffin:
- Chinese takeaway
- A false leg
- A mobile phone
- Wizard of Oz costume
- A violin
- A pair of clown shoes
- A set of skis
- Argos Catalogue#
- Guitar
- Pork pie
- A scone, cream and jam
- Toffee crisp
- Broomstick
- An autographed tennis ball
- Dustpan and brush
- Playing cards
- Fishing rod
- Half a bar of chocolate
- A wedding dress
- A Russian doll
