Not All Traditions Need to Stay the Same
For centuries, funerals in the UK have followed a familiar pattern. Black clothing, top hats and solemn faces in a strictly formal atmosphere with a sense that there was a ‘right way’ to say goodbye. But things are changing. More families are moving away from tradition, not to reject it, but to create something that feels more personal, meaningful and reflective of the person that has died. A funeral doesn’t have to follow a template, it just has to feel right.
Moving Beyond “What We Should Do”
Traditional funerals still have their place, for some families that structure brings comfort. But for others, there is a growing feeling that it doesn’t quite fit. One example is that we are seeing more people choosing music that means something to them. From powerful anthems like Calon Lân, sung by a chapel full of rugby players to quieter, more personal pieces such as a jazz track by Hugh Laurie that brought back shared memories.
Venues are changing too. Alongside the crematoria and churches, we’ve supported services in places that have meant something, including a local pub for a landlord who had spent his life at the heart of his community, or a natural burial at Boduan Sanctuary’s Eternal Forest, surrounded by nature.
It’s Often the Smallest Details
Personalisation isn’t about doing more. Often, it’s about doing less but doing it thoughtfully. We’ve created service booklets that reflect a lifetime of interests, whether that’s a subtle nod to film and gaming through a snowy, cinematic backdrop or combining passions of trains, fishing and shooting into a personal design.
And sometimes, the most meaningful choice is restraint. For Tristan’s grandad, the booklet only included small, considered details. Colours he liked, familiar phrases and nothing overdone. We could have added more but it wouldn’t have felt like him.
Capturing Memories in a Different Way
As funeral directors in Llandudno, we’ve also seen a noticeable increase in families choosing to create their own video tributes. These can be incredibly personal; photos, short clips and favourite music put together by the people who knew them best. Often, that process becomes part of the farewell itself, as families sit together, choosing moments and remembering.
We are always happy to support this, and it keeps the cost simple and accessible. It’s a thoughtful alternative to more traditional media options, and often feels more personal as a result.
The Details You Feel, Not Just See
Some of the most powerful moments are the ones not immediately noticed. A funeral director wearing a fox brooch as it was the person’s favourite animal, taking a different route to pass a place that meant something or the person's favourite music playing quietly during time spent with them in the chapel of rest. These aren’t grand gestures but they stay with people.
What Matters Most Now
We are also seeing a shift in the values behind the choices people make. Sustainability matters more to many families than it once did, simplicity matters too. Natural burials, more thoughtful choices around materials and the rise of unattended funerals all reflect a desire for something that feels right. Not all traditions need to stay the same, what matters is creating something that feels appropriate, personal and unforced.
In the end, what matters most is not whether a funeral follows tradition perfectly, but whether it feels right for the person who has died and for the people saying goodbye.
