Alt:Endings Go Your Own Way

Gone are the days when funerals meant just two options: traditional burial or cremation. It’s time we think outside the traditional funeral box, and if you’re a funeral innovator, an end-of-life planner, or just someone intrigued by death customs, buckle up because we’re about to dive into some truly remarkable alt-farewell ideas.

Green Funerals

Ever stopped to consider that our last act on earth could be saving it? Enter green burials, the environmentally conscious cousin of traditional burial methods. These services are all about reducing our carbon footprint, even after we’ve stopped treading.

As we seek to heal the planet, green burials offer a final act of environmental responsibility. They’re not only about wrapping things up with biodegradable burial options but also employing eco-friendly techniques in all funeral proceedings. And let’s be honest, what’s cooler than leaving one last eco-friendly legacy?  There are countless natural burial grounds popping up all over the place, just a quick online search should find the closest one to you.

Personalised Ceremonies

Because one size never fits all, especially when we’re talking about celebrating a unique life, I have found that personalised funerals are not just a trend; they represent a shift towards honouring each unique life.  It’s about ditching the cookie-cutter approach and crafting a memorial as distinct as the person it honours. 

Imagine a ceremony sprinkled with the deceased’s favourite music, their cherished personal items, and tales of their classic escapades. It’s these personal touches that can turn grief into a celebration of life. Who says a funeral can’t be a mixtape of memories, packed with everything that sang to the soul of the dearly departed?

In my role as celebrant I’ve written committals that mimic the final send of a Transformers Robot funeral, and another that utilised symbolism found in the Wizard of Oz.  I’ve dressed as Elvis and I’ve encouraged a family to throw a handful of liquorice allsorts into a grave.  What matters to me is creating a bespoke ceremony that honours this unique person.

Digital Send-offs

We live online, so why not memorialise online too? With digital memorials, we’re looking at a future where memories aren’t confined to gravestones but can be shared, re-lived, and connected with anytime, anywhere. Think of it as your personal memory cloud; it’s revolutionary and, quite frankly, very now.  Or consider the possibility of having a digital hologram created of yourself – it would be quite the head-turner at your funeral and absolutely not impossible!

DIY- Funerals

Why leave your final farewell in the hands of others when you can do it yourself? DIY funerals are about grasping the reins tight and saying, “I’ll design this last chapter, thank you very much.” The DIY funeral movement is about reclaiming the rituals of death and the rights of the bereaved. There’s a plethora of resources and guides out there to help you navigate the legal hoops, enabling you to craft an intensely personal and possibly more economical goodbye.  A perfect way to start thinking about this is to chat to one of our certified end of life planning facilitators who would be more than happy to guide you.

Cultural and Religious Alternatives

And let’s not forget the rich tapestry of cultural and religious funeral practices that have been blessing this world with colour and depth for centuries. Cultural and religious alternatives in funerals are a beautiful bridge between past traditions and modern values. Think vibrant Day of the Dead celebrations, the incredibly moving New Orleans Jazz funerals, or the deeply spiritual Japanese Buddhist ceremonies. It’s like a world tour of farewells, each with its own flavourful spin on saying goodbye.

Summing it up…

So, fellow funeral innovators and intrepid end-of-life explorers, the journey through alternative funerals is nothing short of fascinating.  It’s a profound reminder of the tapestry of life and how there’s no one right way to close this chapter. Whether it’s turning a funeral green, personalising it to perfection, moving it online, taking the DIY route, or dipping into the richness of cultural practices, it’s all about crafting a send-off that resonates with the life lived – and we haven’t even touched on burial at sea, aquamation (alkaline hydrolysis) or terramation (natural organic reduction)!

After all, it’s your story, so why not conclude it in a way that’s as extraordinary as the rest of the tale? Because, at the end of the day (literally), it’s about the legacy you leave and the impression that lingers.