Evolving Funerals: Unveiling Trends in the UK

For much of human history, burial has been an integral part of end-of-life preparations, but as the UK runs out of burial plots, an important question emerges: is it time to say goodbye to traditional funerals?

To find out, Legal and General surveyed over 2,000 Brits to explore what the future of funerals will look like.

The survey highlights the role climate concerns play in individuals’ choices for end-of-life arrangements. In this, locations across the country, such as Sheffield, have shown a rising trend for environmentally awareness – where over a third (35%) of respondents say that climate considerations significantly influence their preferred method of end-of-life arrangements.

A generational shift is seen in cremation preferences. Surprisingly, young adults (16-24) display a notable inclination towards traditional burial (41%) compared to their older counterparts, where the most popular method was cremation. Although, we also see that 43% of 16-24-year-olds consider climate concerns when deciding on funeral disposition.

24% of 16–24-year-saying stated they are influenced by religious and cultural factors when it comes to funeral preferences, compared to just 12% of those aged over 55 expressing a similar sentiment. Also, 60% of 16–24-year-olds stress the importance of traditional funeral ceremonies, representing the highest percentage across all age groups.

A forward-thinking perspective emerges as 54% of respondents express openness to alternative ‘futuristic’ disposition methods such as aquamation. Leading the charge are younger generations, with 56% of 16-24-year-olds displaying enthusiasm for these innovative methods.

Financial considerations take centre stage, with 58% of respondents concerned about cost in their funeral arrangements, a significant aspect given the rising costs of funerals in the UK. 18% of respondents also consider environmental concerns in their decision-making process.

Please read more about the survey results here: https://www.legalandgeneral.com/insurance/over-50-life-insurance/future-of-funerals/