Share your funeral wishes with Co-op Funeralcare - £300 voucher to be won! NOW CLOSED

[EmmaMumsnet]

Thinking ahead to a time when you will no longer be here is undoubtedly not a pleasant thought. The majority of us plan other big life events such as birthdays, weddings, baby showers and/or anniversaries down to a tee, however when it comes to funerals very few of us have detailed plans in place. If there's something in particular you have in mind, whether it’s something beautiful, something personal, or even something humorous, Co-op Funeralcare would like to know.

Here’s what David Collingwood, Head of Operations for Co-op Funeralcare has to say: “Funerals are very much about personal choice and reflecting the personality and interests of an individual. This is becoming increasingly evident through the growth we’ve seen in people choosing to pre-plan their own ceremonies using a funeral plan.”

Do you have a specific piece of poetry that you want read out by a certain someone? Maybe you’d request that all of your friends and family turn up in fancy dress? Or perhaps you already have in mind a certain song that will put a smile on everyone’s face...Monty Python’s ‘Always Look on the Bright Side of Life’ and Frank Sinatra’s ‘My Way’ are popular songs requested for funerals!

Co-op Funeralcare would like to know what your funeral wishes are, so please share them below and all who comment will be entered into a prize draw, where one lucky MNer will win a £300 voucher or their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck!
MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

I would like to get everything arranged (And paid for) so my family do not have to have the worry (And even more upset) of doing it.

I would like mine rather formal, flowers, dressed in black & all the other usual bits. I'm not so keen on hymns though but that isn't the end of the world. And I would like to be cremated too, we all have been in my family.

I can honestly say I've never thought about this. I won't be there so why would it matter what I want?

I'm determined that there should be no flowers at my funeral.

In 'the olden days' funeral flowers went to local hospitals and old people's homes and had some function beyond the short funeral service. These days it's not allowed, and so the funeral flowers sit around for a day at the crematorium and then get moved to an area in the grounds where they basically sit and decompose. What a waste!

I really haven't decided for my funeral. It's not like I don't want to think about it, (I have a will in place, so death has crossed my mind) but I simply can't decide how to be remembered and what would be a great send off, without people feeling uncomfortable and awkward. The most recent funeral I went to was actually a double funeral, of a husband and wife who were neighbours of ours. They died with a few hours of each other, and it was truly tragic. The lasting memory I have of that day was the song we left the crematorium to, which was "Let's go fly a kite" from Mary Poppins. As it played, we left and filed out into the Hampshire countryside, and the wind whipping through the trees made it really apt. I still blub when I hear that song.

I want a woodland burial in a wicker casket, cotton shroud. I want lots and lots and lots of flowers. And a book.

I have a message that I want engraved on my tombstone

Simple and basic. I have written my wishes down , and I did so when I was about 40, A few flowers, my favouriye hymns and as simple as possible

tbh, haven't given it much thought, but might have to write down some rules simple, non-religious ceremony, no dressing up, some nice music ...

I'm not too bothered. My only wish is to be buried in the same spot as my husband and for my families to be nearby.

Nothing overly religious. Funerals are for those left behind, but I would like my ashes scattered in the place I met my husband, by the sea.

Cremate and stuck in my local church where I grew up. Also a good wake afterwards!

Having recently been to a grandparents funeral, I don't want everyone wearing black and mourning my death. I want everyone celebrating my life. I want my mates and family to tell stories about stupid things we done and I definitely want everyone to come in fancy dress. I haven't decided on a theme but it'll probably be music or movie related. I want fun music, not sad music and want everyone to have a boss party after the burial/cremation

I find this an interesting thread!
I don't know what i'd like personally but a friend said to me the other day that she would like 'see you later alligator; played whilst the curtains shut and that made me smile!

Direct to cremation

I really don't want a funeral. I'd prefer a direct cremation. Huge waste of money and would rather it went to my family.

But as some have said above, it's not going to be for me, it's for those left behind.
I shan't know anything about it really, so I am happy for my children to decide to have one if they wish. I have made my wishes known but also that I shan't haunt them if they go against them

I have been thinking about this more since a family member unexpectedly died earlier this year and we had to plan a funeral without knowing their wishes.

I think I would like a service which causes the least amount of distress for the loved ones which I leave behind. Some lighthearted songs, not hymns which people can feel awkward singing along to, perhaps a poem or two. I don't think I would like to impose restrictions on what people wear etc, as that isn't something that I would do in life either.

I would like to be cremated with my ashes scattered in a place that I loved, so that no one has the responsibility of caring for my grave and they can go to this place and think of me.

Hopefully I will put a plan in place to pay for it so that those I leave behind don't have to cover the cost themselves.

For my funeral, I would like everyone to wear colours. I want a meal after, but with jazz music. And I'd like a coffin which is biodegradable. Even I'd like a tree planted over my head.

And I've made a will with life insurance so my kids will be secure. It's not an easy thought, but I lost someone close to me when they were young, so I did think about it..

I would not want an expensive funeral regarding casket or cars but would LOVE a lavish wake , a Celebration of a life lived.

I am another who thinks its the people left behind who should get to decide how they would like to remember me/grieve.

My only request is to be cremated, not burried. Not too much money wasted!

I have a whole spreadsheet done with what I want-not particularly bothered really what with being dead and all, but God forbid if I go soon or suddenly, I don't want dh & people to have to think & make decisions so I have a list of readings, a spotify playlist of music, some advice for the living & details of where to scatter my ashes & who should be there. It makes me less worried about dying knowing that there's instructions on what to do!

I agree I would like whatever is most comforting for my children to happen.

However, how I'm kind of conflicted saying that because I would not want to cause them unnecessary distress and upset by having to plan my funeral.

DH would like to be cremated and scattered somewhere beautiful, maybe I will request for the same to be done to me.

I want to be cremated wearing a feather boa and a tiara. Everyone has been well instructed to play Ghostbusters by Ray Parker Jr as I am committed

I want a proper black funeral. Mozart's requiem lacrimosa. Everyone in black. Weeping people. Lashing rain, black horses pulling a glass coach etc.

The coffin is going into,the church the night before. There is something very lovely about the quiet of the evening and a chance to say goodbye before family, friends and parish turn up.

Hymns have to be good singable ones. My only request about the music is that All Things Bright and Beautiful is not sung as I sing it too often at funerals and often solo.

I don't want a wicker coffin. They creak. The only flowers are to be those from the garden. If it is wintertime then a few simple flowers but nothing extravagant.

I've preached hope and grace at every funeral I've ever done. I would expect the same at mine and for there to,be plenty of gin at the wake.

I would like a more celebration some of favourite songs & pieces of music to be played, stories and photos. Flowers from family to be bright & donations to air ambulance & life boat. Gathering afterwards with nice food & cake (some of my favourites)
Simple & not costly. Hopefully I will have pre paid it