A funeral does not have to follow a set formula. While tradition can be comforting, many families now choose to include personal details that reflect the character, interests and life of the person they are remembering.
Personalising a funeral can be as simple as choosing a favourite song or displaying treasured photographs, or it can influence almost every part of the service, from the coffin and transport to the flowers, readings and location.
The most meaningful choices are usually those that feel natural and appropriate to the person being remembered.
Choose a service that reflects the individual
One of the first decisions is the style of the funeral or celebration of life.
Some families prefer a traditional religious service, while others choose a non-religious or more informal ceremony. A funeral celebrant can work with family and friends to create a service based around the person’s life, beliefs, personality and wishes.
A personalised ceremony might include favourite stories, memories from friends and family, readings, poems, music or moments of reflection.
There is no requirement for every funeral to follow the same order. The service can be shaped around what feels right for the person and those closest to them.
Choose meaningful music
Music is one of the easiest and most powerful ways to personalise a funeral.
Rather than feeling limited to traditional funeral music or hymns, consider songs that had particular meaning to the person being remembered.
- A favourite song or artist
- Music connected with an important period of their life
- A song associated with a wedding or family occasion
- A piece of classical music they loved
- Music connected with a hobby, sport or favourite film
- A live performance from a singer or musician
Music can be played as people enter or leave the service, during a period of reflection, or as part of a tribute.
Create a personalised coffin or casket
There are now many alternatives to a traditional wooden coffin.
Families can choose from colourful designs, natural materials, woven coffins, environmentally conscious options and fully personalised coffins featuring photographs, illustrations or themes.
A personalised coffin could reflect a favourite football team, landscape, hobby, profession, colour or place.
Even a relatively traditional coffin can be personalised with flowers, photographs, handwritten messages or meaningful objects.
Explore coffins and caskets for more ideas.
Think differently about funeral transport
The journey to the funeral can also become part of the tribute.
Alongside traditional hearses and limousines, there are many alternative forms of funeral transport available.
- Horse-drawn carriages
- Motorcycle hearses
- Classic cars
- Vintage vehicles
- Specialist hearses
- Vehicles connected with a particular profession or interest
For someone who was passionate about motorcycles, classic vehicles or horses, the choice of funeral transport can become an especially meaningful part of the day.
Browse funeral vehicles and carriages or explore alternative hearses.
Personalise the funeral flowers
Flowers can be chosen for much more than their appearance.
You may decide to use a favourite flower, colours associated with the person, seasonal flowers or arrangements that represent something important in their life.
Specialist florists can also create personalised floral tributes in shapes or designs connected with hobbies, interests and occupations.
Alternatively, some families choose plants, wildflowers or other natural arrangements rather than traditional funeral flowers.
Explore funeral flowers and floral tributes.
Include photographs and personal items
Photographs can help tell the story of someone’s life.
You might display a single favourite photograph, create a photo board, arrange a slideshow or place photographs around the venue.
Personal belongings can also be incorporated into the service or wake.
- Awards or medals
- Artwork
- Sports memorabilia
- Favourite books
- Musical instruments
- Craft items
- Personal collections
- Objects connected with a profession or hobby
Create a personal order of service
The order of service does not have to be purely functional.
It can become a keepsake containing photographs, favourite quotations, poems, memories and information about the person’s life.
Some families choose a simple and traditional design, while others use colours, imagery and typography that reflect the individual.
You could also include details about a chosen charity, memorial fund or online tribute page.
Find specialists in funeral order of service design and printing.
Consider memorial jewellery and keepsakes
Some families choose to create small keepsakes after the funeral.
Memorial jewellery can incorporate ashes, fingerprints, handwriting or other personal details. Other possibilities include memory bears made from clothing, personalised ornaments, memorial artwork or handmade items.
These can provide a lasting connection to the person being remembered and may be particularly meaningful to close family members.
Browse memorial jewellery and keepsakes.
Share memories with an online tribute
An online memorial or tribute page can give friends and relatives somewhere to share photographs, stories and messages.
This can be especially useful when people live in different parts of the country or overseas.
Online tributes can continue long after the funeral itself and may become an evolving collection of memories from different parts of a person’s life.
Explore online tribute services.
Think about the wake or gathering afterwards
Personalisation does not need to end with the funeral service.
The gathering afterwards can reflect someone’s personality too.
You might serve their favourite food or drink, display photographs, play a playlist of favourite music or choose a venue that held particular meaning.
Some families create memory tables or invite guests to write down stories and recollections that can later be collected into a book for the family.
Small details can make the biggest difference
Creating a personal funeral does not mean making every element unusual or elaborate.
Often, the most memorable details are very simple.
A favourite song, a photograph, a particular flower or a story that makes everybody smile can say far more about someone than an expensive or complicated arrangement.
The important thing is to create a farewell that feels appropriate to the person being remembered.
Find ideas and funeral services
Ideas for Funerals brings together businesses and specialists offering a wide range of funeral, memorial and bereavement services.
Whether you are looking for a funeral celebrant, personalised coffin, funeral flowers, memorial jewellery, specialist transport or something completely different, exploring the available options can help you create a farewell that feels truly personal.