Social media and mobile phones are becoming the final ‘status update’ at funerals as Brits choose themes for personalised floral tributes at their send offs, according to new research* by the UK’s leading funeral director.
Personalised floral tributes are seen at around 35% per cent of funerals** in the UK and a study by The Co-operative Funeralcare** has revealed that one in eight people would now choose a floral tribute designed to look like the logo of a social network website or in the style of a mobile phone.
The top ten most popular choices for floral tributes:
- Car
- Football related
- National flag
- Social media / mobile phones
- Handbag
- Cup of tea / coffee
- Religious symbol
- Shoes
- Cat
- Favourite food
Patriotism featured high with one in eight people choosing the Union Jack or a national flag as a design for a floral arrangement.
One in 20 people would choose games consoles as a floral design for their final farewell while the Great British allotment, created as a vegetable tribute, was among the more unusual choices for one in 27 Brits.
The Co-operative Funeralcare, the UK’s largest funeral provider responsible for 100,000 funerals each year, conducted the research* across its network of over 880 funeral homes and among the public. The study found that men’s love affair with cars and football extended to death and female shopping aficionados wanted to be remembered by their favourite shoes or handbag. Cat and dog lovers would choose their pet as a floral tribute.
John Williamson, National Operations Manager, The Co-operative Funeralcare, said: “Our funeral directors are increasingly being asked to provide more unusual tributes which are personalised but offer a unique insight into the ways Britons want to be remembered.
“Families are choosing floral tributes which help them remember a loved one’s interests or hobbies. It is becoming more commonplace to see TV and film characters and games consoles created as a floral tributes.
“National patriotism also remains high with flags to remember a person’s pride in their country of birth made into floral arrangements.”
More traditional floral wreaths or arrangements also remain popular, with roses and lilies topping the list of favourites. Red roses remain the most popular rose with white lilies and white carnations also remaining firm favourites.
These flowers are often chosen because of their meaning, with red roses a sign of love and passion, white lilies represent purity and white carnations show innocence and purity.
The Co-operative Funeralcare has reported that that half of today’s funerals (49%) are a celebration of life and one in three funerals now include a favourite pop song, football theme or hobby. One in 20 coffins are bespoke.
Top five choices by men:
- Football related
- Car
- National flag
- Pint of beer / Guinness
- Social media / mobile phones
Top five choices by women:
- Handbag
- Shoes
- Cat
- Cup of tea / coffee
- Social media / mobile phones
Other choices from people included:
- Fish and chips
- Vegetable allotment
- Bingo cards
- White van / Tools
- Games consoles
-ENDS-
Notes to editors:
*Research conducted among The Co-operative Funeralcare’s network of 880 funeral homes and OnePoll survey of 3,000 UK adults.
**According to research into customs and practices was conducted among Funeral Directors from 559 of The Co-operative Funeralcare’s branches across the UK which was released in January 2011.
*** The Co-operative Group is the UK’s largest mutual business, owned not by private shareholders but by almost six million consumers. It is the UK’s fifth biggest food retailer, the leading convenience store operator and a major financial services provider, operating The Co-operative Bank, Britannia and The Co-operative Insurance. Among its other businesses are the number one funeral services provider and Britain’s largest farming operation. As well as having clear financial and operational objectives, the Group has also set out its social and sustainability goals in its groundbreaking Ethical Plan, which specifies almost 50 commitments in these areas.
The Group operates over 5,000 retail trading outlets, employs more than 110,000 people and has an annual turnover of £13.7bn. Further information is available at www.co-operative.coop
More information about The Co-operative Funeralcare can be found at http://www.co-operative.coop/funeralcare.
For further information please contact:
Craig Noonan
PR Manager – Specialist Retail
The Co-operative Group
Tel: 0161 266 3589 / 07702 505439
craig.noonan@co-operative.coop
Samantha Shale
Public Relations Officer – Funeralcare
The Co-operative Group
Tel: 0161 827 5889 / 07770 441828
samantha.shale@co-operative.coop
