More young people consider traditional burial, L&G finds
When broken down by age, more young people lean toward traditional burial and older generations prefer cremation
Some 60% of 16 to 24-year-old people have reported that having a traditional funeral ceremony is important to them, while just 43% of people aged over 55 said the same, an L&G survey has revealed.
According to the survey, some 48% of respondents would prefer to be cremated, 26% would rather be buried, and 19% reported having no strong opinion.
When broken down by age, more young people lean toward traditional burial and older generations prefer cremation.
L&G’s surveyed over 2,000 people aged 16 and above to find out what the future of funerals looks like, as the availability of burial plots in the UK declines.
The survey explored the changing preferences among Brits, delving into their attitudes towards funerals, ranging from conventional burials to emerging technologies.
Climate concerns have been revealed to play a significant role in influencing funeral preferences, with 35% of respondents stating that environmental considerations will impact how they wish to be disposed of after death.
This number rises amongst those aged 16-24, with 43% expressing that climate concerns will affect their choice of funeral disposition. Some 40% of people also acknowledge the environmental impact of traditional funeral practices, such as burial and cremation.
Although environmental perspectives play a role, L&G found that religious and cultural views shape the attitudes of Britons toward funeral practices.
Some 46% of respondents stated their beliefs influence their preferences for funeral practices. In this, 24% of 16–24-year-olds said that religion or culture is a strong influence, compared with just 12% of people aged over 55.
Paula Llewellyn, CMO and managing director at L&G Retail, said: “As funeral practices evolve with the emergence of new technology, our study highlights how environmental consciousness, cultural influences, and financial considerations impact our decisions.
“While Britons across generations are proud of their traditions, they are also willing to explore new funeral practices – reflecting a broader cultural shift towards embracing individuality and personalisation in end-of-life rituals.”
She added: “For those who are open to these discussions, being aware of end-of-life options early on can empower you to take an active role in shaping your final farewell and the legacy you wish to leave behind.”