Alternatives to a traditional funerals

Sometimes, traditional funeral ceremonies, such as a burial or a cremation, are not necessarily the right ones to honour a loved one who has passed away. Granted, the majority of us will likely choose one of these, however it is worth keeping in mind that they are not the only options available.

Let’s take a closer look at the alternatives to traditional funeral ceremonies.

Direct cremations 

A direct cremation is a cremation that takes place without a service or a ceremony and with no mourners. The coffin is usually a simple design and once the person has been cremated, the ashes are returned to their loved one in accordance with their wishes, whether that is keeping them or, as we’ll come onto, for a separate ash scattering ceremony at a later date. 

Direct cremations offer a more affordable and flexible method of saying goodbye to a loved one. Traditional funerals, whether it’s a burial or cremation, often come with a high financial burden, which adds to what is already a difficult time. As direct cremations take place without the added elements such as transport or flowers, the overall cost is reduced.

For some, a simple funeral is more appropriate for remembering a loved one. It could be that the person was a private individual and didn’t want the extravagance of a full funeral. Or it may feel more fitting to remember them at a more suitable time and place when more family members and friends can be in attendance, perhaps with a more personal tribute. 

Most funeral directors, though not all, now provide direct cremations as part of their service offering. Make sure that you do your research to check whether the funeral director that you choose does in fact provide direct cremations and that you understand exactly what they will provide.

Hold a Celebration of Life

A Celebration of Life is very similar to a traditional funeral, and is sometimes an addition to the ceremony. However, it is more often the case that it will be in place of a funeral or once a direct cremation has taken place and the ashes are returned to the family.

With a Celebration of Life, the focus is more on the person’s achievements and successes, rather than mourning their passing. It is an opportunity for loved ones to reminisce and reflect, resulting in a more informal structure and a focus being on the positive aspects that the person had. 

There is also greater flexibility when it comes to these ceremonies, particularly with the location and the content. For instance, you may decide to have the ceremony at your loved one’s favourite place or within a community hall. Speeches, music and images can all be unique to your loved one and what they meant to you, and using a celebrant can also ensure the entire occasion goes smoothly.     

Natural burials 

Nowadays, many of us are more aware of the issues facing our environment. It may be that a loved one was a campaigner for climate change or conservation, and wants their funeral to be a final way of supporting specific causes. 

A natural burial, as its name suggests, uses environmentally-responsible methods. There is no embalming of the body using harmful chemicals and caskets are made from sustainable materials. Unlike at a traditional funeral, and in keeping with the theme, there is no stone headstone in place. Rather, soil and flowers are laid over the coffin instead, and in some cases, a tree may be planted at the discretion of the burial site operator.

Many cemeteries now have a dedicated space for natural burials and others solely dedicated to this type of ceremony are becoming more commonplace, with around 200 sites across the UK.

More often than not, natural burials follow a similarly informal structure to a celebration of life, affording creativity and the means to remember the deceased in the way they would have wanted.

Ash scattering ceremonies

An ash scattering may be ideal after receiving a loved one’s ashes after a direct cremation. The physical act of scattering the ashes symbolises the loved one passing on, often in a place that holds special significance to them. 

The main difference between a cremation and an ash scattering is that the former is the physical turning of the body to ashes, whereas the latter as the name suggests, is the dispersion of these ashes. 

Loved ones opting for an ash scattering have the flexibility to include readings, specific music or songs, or anything else that represents their family member or friend. The location, too, is a key factor in this ceremony. There may be specific regulations to follow, and permission from the landowner or local authority may be required. It is also worth considering whether scattering ashes will cause environmental issues. 

Choosing the ceremony that is right for a loved one

Everyone is unique, and that means that the way their passing is marked should be just as unique. Whether you are planning a ceremony for a family member or want to do something special to mark the anniversary of a passing, I can support you at every step of the way. 

Contact me for more about my memorial celebrant services.