Latest Funeral Trends

Funeral Treands – Contemporary coffins – and how Irish people embrace new trends without removing the body of funeral custom and tradition – meaningful funeral tributes for families in grief.

Significantly, and sometimes sadly, we have become accustomed, in these TV and social-media saturated times, to the new trends in personalised coffins. This new coffin trend was evoked most poignantly during the tragic untimely passing of young Peaches Geldof. Personalised coffins inlaid with bright pastel colours and photographs were unheard of 20 years ago. Jennings of the Five Lamps remain as alert and vigilant to changing patterns as a careful funeral procession down a Dublin street. But the traditional funeral customs remain the preference of the typical Irish family.

Funeral Director Nigel Brothers explains:

‘Our experience at Jennings Funeral Directors reflects recent surveys carried out. In Ireland, for now, the Irish made wood coffins continue to be chosen as the most appropriate choice for a meaningful funeral tribute. Having said that, Dublin families are well able to undertake new funeral trends while retaining traditional funeral customs – brighter floral tributes, customised themes such as a coffin drape in Manchester United colours to reflect a sporting loyalty of the beloved deceased relative.’

So, it seems that these days, while there might be a distinct removal from the notion of a coffin painted in daffodils, you might well attend a funeral mass and be greeted by the life-affirming sight of a huge fresh floral spray of daffodils, the bright sun-filled colours standing out against the wood gleam of a traditional coffin – dignity and lightness combined. Traditional floral wreaths are still very popular, and often you’d have a floral mix of both – the more sombre deep tones of a funeral wreath or a sympathy spray along with the bright pastels to reflect life. With their longstanding tradition of serving the community in times of loss and bereavement, Jennings Funeral Directors are well placed to notice and embrace the changing needs of people in terms of coffins and the personal adornments that matter to them.

In the heart of the city at Dublin’s Five Lamps, Nigel reflects on a welcome funeral trend, a removal of fear in terms of how a family now feel free to personalise their family funeral. Nigel went on to expand on this:

‘Planning the funeral in these contemporary times, families often use artefacts as symbols of the deceased person’s passions and life experience. Decorating the coffin with flowers, adding personal touches to the funeral service in terms of coffin choice, floral tributes, messages of sympathy, mass cards, photographs, personal mementos, and funeral service eulogy – all reflecting vividly the life of the deceased person at the center of the funeral taking place.’

That generally defines how Irish people embrace change while retaining the old Irish funeral customs – and the description of modern coffin trends by the Jennings Funeral Director seems to reflect the comforting biblical notion that ‘in death there is life, even in a task as difficult and painful as choosing a coffin.