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

Just a low key affair in an old historic stone church, those that want can regale everyone with a tale or two and then a hymn and a party after with tea and cakes and scones. I would like an older style hearse I do not like the modern looking ones much

I want to be cremated and have my ashes spread in the sea. Other than that I don't have any other wishes. Easily pleased 😁

I would like my funeral to be a bit like we did for my mums - bright colours on everyone - we spoke about her life not her death. I would like to do the planning myself so my family dont have to make the hard decisions. I would choose to have poetry read.

I think a funeral is a chance for closure and a chance for your family to have peace and say goodbye. I would try and make things as easy as possible for them 😀😀

I don’t want a service, definitely no religion, just a gathering with some nice food and drink. IME funerals often bring family members who haven’t seen each other in a while together so I want to give everyone a nice environment to catch up with each other.

I would like my body disposed of in the cheapest way possible (I’d quite like to be fed to my dogs but that probably isn’t allowed? 😂😂😂)

I would like an oak tree planted for me or over me because they are my favourite tree.

Low-cost, low-fuss, nothing sombre. Just an informal get-together for everyone who knew me, with a cremation thrown in at some point. I'd like to be treated to an expensive party and an expensive bed when I'm alive, rather than a wake and a coffin. I'm not sure I'd even want specifically chosen music because it could taint it for someone who'd previously enjoyed it.

I think that a funeral should help and give comfort to those grieving so I would want to make the process as easy as possible for them and allow them to move on.
So for me it would be simple and comforting.

DH wants his ashes spread near the settle and carlisle railway line near the summit

I want simple without the usual funerals hymns. A reading or two and then off to a pub for a knees up. I went to a tremendously sad funeral once but everyone was asked to bring photos of the relative - which led to lovely stories, laughter and tears. I would love that.

Anything to make the family happy

I'm not sure about cardboard and wicker coffins as dead bodies leak and I wouldn't want to be dripping everywhere. Definitely cremation. I have written down the plans for both my parents and in laws so we respect their wishes and hopefully that will take a lot of stress out of it. Has to be a good wake with 🍷🍷

A nice basic cremation with everyone in dark colours, Claire de Lune played at some point and tea and scones/cake afterwards in some local hall. I'd rather there wasn't a eulogy but if people want one then fine. I will write it down because I saw my poor sister in law have to make all the decisions for her mother's funeral when she was grieving - not fun. Ashes can be scattered in the local churchyard, that'll do me.

When my dad died I was horrified that DM wanted to scatter his ashes in the garden. I wanted a focal point; a stone I could go to see. His ashes were buried under a memorial stone in the cemetery and my grandparents bought the plot next to his.

My DC may not feel the need to have a stone but I needed something tangible.

The funeral itself is for the benefit of the living. I've already told DD what music I what like, but otherwise I don't really care. I just want everyone to be 100% I'm dead. I have a fear of being buried or burned alive

I have told my son's to do what they want...i will neither know nor care
Atm it's looks like I will be having a game of thrones themed send off 😁

When I was at uni my housemates and I all planned our funerals. It stemmed from one of my housemates friends from home dying in an accident at 19 and the service, while lovely, being nothing at all that the dead friend would have liked or wanted.

Now I'm older and have DD I'd like to have a simple, humanist service that I'll have paid for myself. Not bothered about a wake. But I definitely still want Green Day "Time of your life" played. That was key at 19 and is key still!

The cheaper the better no need to splash the cash on me when I'm gone
simple but elegant that is me

I agree that funerals are for the living not the dead, brought home to me recently organising a funeral on behalf of a close relative. Whatever brings the bereaved comfort. (I used to say I wanted the Birdie song played at my funeral, but now, they can do what they want - I'll be dead after all so won't be coming to complain!)

something simple? never thought about it if im honest

I'd sooner be cremated than buried, but other than that, I don't really mind.

Whatever makes sense for DH and children at the time. Eat drink and try to smile. I would prefer to be buried if possible, but I guess it doesn't really matter once I'm gone!

The only absolute must for my funeral is that I’m cremated. I don’t want a grave stone or a marker that could potentially make people feel the need to go there to think of me. I want people to remember me for living, not for dying.

Having been on the sidelines for a recent family funeral I'm definitely going to pre-pay and set up arrangements as soon as financially viable. A wicker coffin, cremation and simple flowers is all I want.

Unfortunately funerals all too often seem to be about putting on a show for the family and leaving them financially crippled for months afterwards.

my husband died 18 months ago i paid for a plot to go in with him him as long as that happens i don't care. I have told them to spend as little money as possible and i have paid for a basic package.

Humanist ceremony, wear what you like, my children's choice of poetry and whatever music they associate with me.

A wicker coffin and a woodland burial. Simple ceremony followed by a party that reflects my love of hosting. Lots of food, drink, music and dancing.