Funeral trends for 2025

There’s no one-size-fits-all farewell. A funeral should be as unique as the person it honours.

In 2025, we’re seeing many people find new, meaningful ways to say goodbye. Whether you're planning ahead for yourself or arranging a farewell for a loved one, these emerging funeral trends for 2025 reflect the growing desire for personalised, inclusive and thoughtful tributes.

Here are some of the ways people are remembering their loved ones in 2025.

More families are choosing unconventional locations and personalised themes for funeral services, moving away from traditional chapels and cemeteries. Memorials are being held in gardens, beaches, vineyards and even art galleries – anywhere that holds meaning for the person being honoured. Please note, you may need to seek permission to hold a funeral at certain public spaces.  

Some are taking it further by incorporating themed funerals that reflect a loved one’s personality. For instance, a music lover’s service might feature live jazz, while a nature enthusiast’s farewell could be held outdoors, surrounded by trees and flowers.

• Host the service somewhere meaningful, like a favourite hiking trail, theatre or family home.
• Incorporate elements of your passions, like a book reading for a writer or a film screening for a movie buff.
• Encourage guests to wear colours or styles that reflect your personality instead of traditional black.

Many families in 2025 are prioritising sustainability, choosing eco-friendly burials and services to reduce environmental impact. Traditional funerals, which often involve embalming chemicals and non-biodegradable caskets, are being replaced with green burials, biodegradable urns and memorial trees.

One great example is LifeArt’s range of customisable coffins, which are made from up to 97% recycled fibres recovered from cardboard and sugar cane waste. These coffins can be completely customised – painted, drawn on and decorated – making them both eco-friendly and totally unique. 

• Choose a biodegradable casket or urn made from recycled materials, bamboo, wicker or unprocessed wood.
• Plant a tree in memory of your loved one, using their ashes as part of the soil.
• Opt for a digital service program instead of printed materials to reduce waste.

Technology is changing the way we say goodbye. Many families are using live-streaming services to include loved ones who can’t attend in person. Others are creating digital tribute pages where friends and family can share memories, photos and messages in an online space that lasts forever.

More innovative options include hologram eulogies and AI-generated voice recordings, allowing people to leave personalised messages for their families that can be played at their funeral or on special anniversaries.

• Live-stream the service to ensure everyone, no matter where they are, can be part of the farewell.
• Create a digital memorial where loved ones can share photos and memories.
• Develop a video tribute, combining favourite songs, interviews and life highlights.

One of the more unique funeral trends in 2025, more people are moving away from traditional burials and cremation, seeking alternative ways to return to the earth. In 2025, aquamation (water cremation), human composting and reef memorials are becoming more widely available. That said, it’s always best to check the rules and guidelines relating to burial in your local area. 

A few examples of alternative burials include:

• Aquamation: this uses water instead of fire to gently decompose the body, making it a cleaner, environmentally friendly alternative to cremation.
• Human composting: this process turns remains into nutrient-rich soil, allowing loved ones to grow a garden in their memory.
• Reef memorials: ashes are mixed with marine-safe concrete to create artificial reefs, supporting ocean ecosystems.

• Select an eco-conscious method that aligns with personal values and beliefs.
• Consider planting a tree or flower garden in honour of your loved one.
• Sponsor a reef renewal project or make a donation to honour their love of the ocean.

As the world becomes more connected, funerals are increasingly embracing multiple cultural and religious traditions. Families are blending elements from different backgrounds to create inclusive, meaningful ceremonies.

For example, a Buddhist-Chinese funeral might incorporate traditional incense burning alongside a Western-style eulogy, or a Jewish and Hindu service might include readings from both traditions. Some families are opting for multilingual services, ensuring all guests feel included and understood.

• Combine elements from different faiths, such as readings, prayers or symbolic rituals.
• Include cultural music and attire, allowing guests to honour traditions in a respectful way.
• Offer multilingual eulogies or service programs, making sure all attendees feel connected.

A funeral should be as unique as the life it celebrates – whether that means a beachside ceremony, a digital tribute or a tree-planting memorial.

Which of these funeral trends speaks to you? 

*Not all ideas and inspiration in this article are available for your Guardian Plan. Please speak with your Funeral Specialist to find out what options are available.

If you’re ready to start planning, we’d love to hear from you. Our funeral specialists are available 24/7.

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