08/06/2022

How To Add Personal Touches To Make A Funeral Unique

There are lots of ways to add personal touches to make a funeral unique so that it is a true reflection of the life of the person who has died. These can be simply incorporated into a funeral service, without impacting on or diminishing from the respectful element of the funeral itself.

Here at CPJ Field, family funeral directors located in the south of England, we strongly believe that, should you choose, the unique character and personality of your loved one should not be concealed by tradition and ceremony/ Funerals are changing with the times with families choosing to a plan funerals that honour and also reflect the life, interests, hobbies and passions of the person who has died. In this article, we look at nine aspects of the funeral service that can be considered with ideas to create a unique funeral for your loved one.

Nine ways to add personal touches to make a funeral unique

1. Music and readings

Choose music and readings that are meaningful to you and your loved one.

Music at the funeral does not have to be traditional, sad and solemn. You can choose a song that is personal to you and your loved one. Choices can range from hymns, to classical, dance, pop or even rock music. Readings can also reflect your loved one’s personality and could be the lyrics of a favourite song or poem or an excerpt from a poignant book or film.

2. Eulogies

Personalise the eulogy as a powerful tribute.

The eulogy is a memorable part of any funeral and gives an opportunity to share memories, amusing stories, anecdotes and observations about that person. Alongside their achievements, lesser-known moments can be included. You can also choose who speaks and it can be more than one person. Those closest often find speaking difficult at this time and yet for some it is a form of closure.

3. Transport

Choose alternative forms of transport.

This is another way of reflecting the personality and lifestyle of your loved one. Did you know that there are alternatives to the traditional black motor hearse? Here at CPJ Field we are able to offer white and pink hearses as well as a motorbike hearse and transport that has been adapted from a Volkswagen Beetle, tanks, a vintage lorry and a 4 x 4 vehicle to name but a few. Horse drawn hearses are becoming increasingly popular and don’t forget you can have more than one.

4. Flowers and floral tributes

Personalised sympathy funeral flowers and tributes.

Tributes can be imaginatively designed to celebrate a loved one’s hobbies, interests and passions. They can be created in the shape of a musical instrument, a specific car, or reference a particular sport such as tennis, golf or football. Floral arrangements can also be made in the form of letters, names or nicknames. Flowers have the power to say a lot about the life of the person you have lost and there are many alternatives to traditional lilies including eco-friendly flowers where bouquets and casket sprays can be taken away and shared with the family.

You might want to bring flowers from your own garden to place on the coffin and invite family and friends to do the same.

5. Coffins

Bespoke designed coffins.

Coffins can also reflect a person’s life. They can be engraved or covered in personal messages, meaningful photographs, art from loved ones and special poems, lyrics and words.

Of course, you can still choose a more traditional coffin made from oak or rosewood, but you may find a brightly coloured coffin or one made from a natural material such as willow or bamboo will be more appropriate. Painted coffins are available in all shades from white through to blue, red, green and yellow.

6. Memorials and keepsakes

Bereavement gift and keepsake ideas.

Memories and mementos in the form of keepsakes can help the healing process. Keepsakes tend to be for the individuals arranging the funeral. There are many things to choose from which range from comfort bears with personalised messages, to memorial lanterns, angel ornaments, keepsake boxes and tealights.

Choosing the right words to say can be difficult at a time like this and a keepsake in the form of a sympathy gift could be the perfect way to reach out to a grieving person. They are a great way of expressing love, support and empathy. When considering the ashes, they can be placed into a glass ornament, or a locket can be designed with a loved ones ashes in it, so that they always stay close to them.

7. Virtual arrangements

Planning a virtual funeral.

Technology has enabled people who are unable to attend a funeral to be there virtually. Hosting a virtual funeral or live streaming a memorial are options that are growing in popularity as it cuts out the requirement for people to travel long distances and can enable older relatives or family and friends living overseas to still play a meaningful part in the funeral service.

If you intend to stream the funeral service, you will have to make sure that the venue has a strong Wi-Fi connection, good lighting and technical hook-ups. We are on hand to organise all of this should it be desired.

8. Personal venues

Carefully consider your choice of venue.

If you are planning a more traditional funeral, the location may be more obvious as your loved one may have had specific religious values. However, you do not have to opt for this, as there is no legal requirement stating the funeral ceremony must take place in a church, crematorium, or other place of worship.

To add a personal touch to make a funeral unique could start with the venue. Possibilities could include private gardens, listed buildings, a sports complex, village hall or your own house and garden. However, permission may be required to take a coffin into these places.

9. Alternative dress code

Guests don’t have to wear black.

Wearing black or dark colours has always been traditional funeral attire, but that may not reflect the person’s character and personality. Many people also can feel uncomfortable if they have to wear a suit or a formal outfit, as it may be totally alien to their everyday life, especially if the funeral is of a younger person and hence attended by a younger audience.

One of the personal touches to make a funeral unique could be to specify the dress code and that could include a fancy dress theme. Or perhaps ask guests to wear an item of clothing that was personal to the person who has died. You could ask guests to wear one item of brightly coloured clothing or choose a particular colour as a theme.

How can CPJ Field help you add personal touches to make a funeral unique?

CPJ Field has years of experience in helping to add personal touches to make a funeral unique; little things can make a big difference when saying ‘goodbye’ to a loved one. CPJ Field are the funeral directors you can trust so that everything is organised to a ‘T’ creating that truly unique and personal funeral ceremony you are hoping to create. We will be able to help with musical choices, bespoke coffins, keepsakes, floral arrangements, modes of transport and more.