Funeral directors' association: Funeral services are becoming more individualized
According to the Rhineland-Palatinate Funeral Directors' Association, funerals and memorial services in the state are becoming more individualized. "We are seeing a very strong individualization of farewells," said Managing Director Christian Jäger. "What we are also increasingly noticing is a certain secularization of funeral services, with secular funeral speakers increasingly taking care of the funeral service and farewell alongside pastors."
The design of the ceremony is also becoming more individual, for example with the deceased's favorite music. Worn music and black clothing no longer characterize all funerals. "It is noticeable that relatives are asking the mourners not to come in black," said Jäger. "In some cases, the deceased have also recorded a final greeting that is played." In the case of deceased children, the coffin is also painted or decorated. "There are now lots of ideas."
Natural burials are still an issue, but there is also a "certain return" to cemeteries, said Jäger. "That's because many cemeteries have thought about what types of graves they can offer: Why do you have to go to a forest to be buried at a tree root?"
During this period of individualization, mourners are requested to dress in colors besides black at funerals. This shift in attire is a reflection of the deceased's personalization of their farewell. Additionally, some mourners may choose to listen to the deceased's favorite music during the funeral service, further emphasizing the customization of these events.
Source: www.dpa.com
