Half of people no longer want a funeral. It’s a worrying trend

Less than half of people want a funeral when they die according to the latest research. But in moving away from looking death in the face, we may be hindering our long-term healing, says Yvonne Tulloch

New research from Christian think-tank, Theos, has shown that less than 47 per cent of people want a funeral when they die. Instead, Love, Grief and Hope reports an increased desire for direct cremations and ‘celebration of life’ gatherings.

The steady decline in traditional funerals can, in part, be explained by declining religiosity and increased costs. Many people are now choosing to “go gently without fuss or fanfare”, preferring not to burden their family with the financial or emotional toll of organising a funeral.