The Latest Trends in Funeral Industry

Cremation service has been in the funeral industry for a while now, but it has only recently gained popularity. Many funeral homes are now offering this service to their clients as an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to traditional funerals. According to a recent study, cremation rates are expected to reach 63.3 percent by 2025, while traditional funerals will drop to 30.9 percent. With these figures in mind, there are a variety of reasons why individuals are opting out of traditional funerals, the most important of which is expense.

Another key factor why cremation is on the rise is because of COVID.  With the pandemic continuing to ravage the world, many people are opting for cremation so that they can eliminate the need for a funeral service, which can often be a costly affair and will cause people to gather. Cremation service is also seen as a more sanitary option in the age of COVID, as it reduces the  risk of the virus spreading.

With cremation getting popular, a new type of cremation option is also gaining ground. Direct cremation is where the body is cremated without any funeral service beforehand. This type of cremation is seen as more convenient and affordable, which are two key factors driving its popularity. Aside from that, direct cremation does not require embalming so it's more environmentally friendly too.

One of the latest trends in the funeral industry is green burials. Green burials are becoming more popular as people become more environmentally conscious. If you offer green burial options, you will be able to appeal to a wider range of clients.  Some of the most popular green burial options include burial in a biodegradable casket, using recycled paper for funeral programs, and avoiding the use of harmful chemicals.

How does a green burial work?

The body is not burnt, chemically processed, or buried in a concrete vault like a traditional burial. It's simply buried in a biodegradable container and allowed to totally disintegrate and return to nature. For a green burial site, it's fairly typical for the family to make their own grave marker. It could just be a simple arrangement of stones found around the cemetery. It could also be an engraved piece of wood.

In the past, funerals were viewed as a formal and solemn occasion. However, with the introduction of life celebrations, it created a new twist to the funeral industry that is becoming more popular. This type of funeral focuses on celebrating the life of the deceased and not dwelling too much on the sadness of death.

Some funeral homes are now offering  "celebration of life" packages that include fun activities like music, food, and games.  It is a more upbeat way of commemorating the life of a loved one.It's a chance for family members and friends to share good recollections from their childhood. Guests are invited to dress up in bright colors and sing, dance, and have a good time. A celebration of life, like any burial service, is a personal affair that can take any form the individual who has died desires.

With the advent of the pandemic, no mass gathering is allowed to limit the spread of the virus, hence, online funerals rose to become another new positive trend in the funeral industry. It is now possible to have a live stream of the funeral service which can be shared with anyone, anywhere in the world. This allows more people to participate and celebrate the life of their loved one, even if they are not physically present. Some funeral homes are offering this service for free while others charge a nominal fee.

In line with online funerals is online memorials.  This is a new way to create a lasting tribute for your loved one that can be shared with family and friends. There are many websites that offer this service, and you can even create your own memorial website.

Although asking for financial support is nothing new, with the internet and crowdsourcing websites, it is now easy to ask for donations to fund your own funeral.  This is a new trend that is becoming popular, especially among the younger generations.