Rosedale Articles
4. Funeral Plan Blog
Most over 50s would choose a cremation or religious funeral, survey finds
A poll commissioned by UK funeral plan provider, Ecclesiastical Planning Services, asked 1,000 people aged 50 and over about their funeral preferences.
Respondents, which totaled 306, were asked to think about their own funeral service or memorial event, and where they would most like this to be held. Unsurprisingly, cremation funerals featured much more frequently than traditional burials, accounting for 30% of responses compared to 2% respectively.
Perhaps more unexpected was the number of people who say they would choose to have their funeral service take place in a religious setting, such as a church or chapel. The results of this survey show that a quarter of over 50s would still choose to have a religious element to their funeral.
It was encouraging to see just how many people said they would like their funeral to take place in nature (16%) – woodland burials, burials at sea and even funerals on the beach were all cited by survey respondents. Other notable mentions include at home or in the pub.
However, 6% of over 50s either hadn’t yet thought about their own funeral arrangements or said they ‘didn’t mind’ leaving their loved ones to decide. One respondent said they would most like their funeral to take place “wherever [it] is most convenient for the person organising it – it won’t worry me!”
This response was almost certainly given with the best intentions, so as not to put pressure or expectations on those left behind. However, when arranging a funeral on behalf of someone else, not knowing their funeral wishes can actually add to the stress. This proved to be the case for 39% of survey respondents who had previously arranged a funeral on behalf of someone else (390).
Anna Gould, our funeral arranger and administrator in Attleborough said “We are lucky to be surrounded by some beautiful churches, modern crematoria as well as really lovely natural burial grounds. More than ever, people now have the freedom to choose where they would like their funeral to take place”.
About Ecclesiastical Planning Services
Part of the Benefact Group. Ecclesiastical Planning Services works with over 800 funeral directing outlets across the country, providing a safe home for funeral pre-payment funds. The Benefact Group is a UK-based financial services group, part which has been protecting people, property and funds since 1887.
Rosedale Funeral Home is an Appointed Representative of Ecclesiastical Planning Services Limited, a funeral plan provider authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Firm Reference Number 958152.
Ecclesiastical Planning Services Limited (EPSL) Reg. No. 2644860. Registered in England at Benefact House, 2000 Pioneer Avenue, Gloucester Business Park, Brockworth, Gloucester, GL3 4AW, United Kingdom. EPSL is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Firm Reference Number 958152.
Visit www.funeralplans.co.uk
Source
OnePoll research of 1,000 UK residents
aged 50 and above, on behalf of Ecclesiastical Planning Services, October 2022.