As Coronavirus or COVID19 takes hold across the world, considerations and preparations have been put into the works to stream funerals of loved ones online if the UK faces a pandemic of the virus in the coming weeks.

The UK is currently on red alert as the killer virus continues to grow in numbers across the country, with five people already deceased. Large events are already on the verge of being cancelled throughout Spring and Summer including the London Marathon and Euro 2020 Football Tournament.

Following these impending cancellations, we are likely to see any gatherings including smaller scale events like church services and funerals to be impacted should the virus take a more aggressive grip in the coming weeks and months.

Should funerals no longer be able to take place in their traditional gatherings, webcasting has become a viable option according to the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD). The organisation is working on early interventions and options with the associated authorities to ensure that dignified funerals can still be achieved without causing further spread of the virus.

“The exact steps we would take would be determined by the severity of the outbreak and whether funerals would need to be adapted in the event of a ban on public gatherings and other changes,” NAFD said. “This is all part of our normal planning process.”

The number of deaths predicted to happen in the UK has increased to a death rate of 2-4% of the population, which will see increasing pressure on funeral directors and other relevant organisations as the death toll predictions amass over 1 million people.

As well as a likely pressure to deal with the influx in fatalities, funeral directors will be expected to provide options to families of the deceased and support their needs to adhere to the expectations of the further steps and restrictions that will be set out by the UK government over the next few weeks ahead.

Webcasting funerals is likely to be one of the most responsible ways to deliver dignified and respectful services to the deceased in the coming weeks, and funeral directors should be prepared for this likelihood as the virus is still yet to be contained, with no vaccine ready to be administered with cases reaching over 110,000 worldwide.

The increase in popularity when it comes to being more environmentally friendly has sky rocketed in recent years, and we are now even seeing people become much more environmentally conscious when it comes to their funerals to. But how can you make your funeral as environmentally friendly as possible? We have some top tips for those who want to decrease their carbon footprint when it comes to funeral arrangements.

Saying No To Cremation

One of the most negative impacts on the environment your funeral can have is opting for a cremation. If you are looking to achieve an Eco friendly funeral, cremation is something you can consider refusing to have.

However, there are many ways you can give back to the environment if you choose cremation, your ashes can be put into many different things that can have a direct positive impact on the environment.

Organic Burial Pods

It is possible to ‘grow’ yourself into a tree using organic burial pods. Your body is placed in the fetal position in a ‘pod’ and buried underground. A seed is then planted above the pod and, as it grows, is nourished by the body, with a tree growing to mark the burial spot and improve the environment.

Woodland Burials

Woodland burials are becoming a really popular option for many, and are really environmentally friendly too. With an increased worry about space for burials in graveyards, opting for a woodland burial is a great way to contribute to reducing those issues.

Eco Conscious Wakes

Vegan buffets and outdoor wakes are just two ways you can make your funeral more environmentally friendly. Even better than vegan or meat free, you can go for all locally sourced ingredients for the wake.

There is going to be an increase in the value of funeral expense payments that currently sit at around £700, but will be boosted to £1000 this year.

The announcement of the increase in the amount was made by the Minister for Welfare Delivery, Will Quince, on 5 November 2019, he said:

“Everyone wants to give their loved ones a dignified send-off, and this money will help pay for the personal touches that enable a family to say goodbye properly.”

Will Quince had also been campaigning for an extension on bereavement leave for parents of children who have died under the age of 18, which he has successfully seen through and will be introduced this year too.

The Funeral Expense Payment was put in place to support families who need that financial boost from the government when trying to plan and pay for a funeral for a loved one. Those who qualify for the payment also receive funds to cover the cost of a burial plot, cremation fees, transport, death certificates and other paperwork.

The boost to Funeral Expenses Payment has been approved and celebrated by the National Association of Funeral Directors, National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors and several bereavement support organisations, including Cruse Bereavement Care, Widowed and Young and Together4ShortLives.

If you are not sure whether you are entitled to the funeral expense payment or need more information, you can find out more here.

If you have recently lost a loved one or overwhelmed by the demands of planning their funeral, following a funeral blog and getting some much needed comfort and advice from somebody who has been in your shoes can be extremely helpful, not only with the funeral planning, but overcoming grief issues or answering your bereavement questions you don’t feel comfortable asking.

FuneralONE Blog

The funeral one blog focuses more on the funeral director side, and chimes in on the modernisation of general funeral director practice, offering productive solutions that will inspire growth and success for your funeral director business.

The Good Funeral Guide Blog

The Good Funeral Guide Blog does exactly what it says on the tin, offering endless amounts of information, research and advice for those unsure on their next steps when planning a funeral. Much of their content really digs deep into every single thing you need to know when it comes to planning a funeral, and how to plan one to suit your needs and your budget without compromised your loved ones wishes.

Funeral Guide

Much like the blog mentioned above, Funeral Guide is just that, a guide to funerals. Something that stands out massively with this blog is the attention paid to grieving and coping with bereavement versus the business side of the loss. There are some really insightful articles that offer grieving therapy to those of all ages, they really have thought of everything when it comes to ensuring they can offer advice that you can take in and relate to when you lose a loved one.

Funeral Matters

Funeral matters offers a closer focus at the modern, digital age and how we approach funerals in accordance to the evolving lifestyle and culture of social media and digitisation. This blog is aimed at the modern population that are moving forward and following trends, but also will have to face the realities of grief, bereavement and the need to understand funeral etiquette as the millennial generation take over and adapt on the traditional funeral.

The digital age has become a huge part of most of our lives, especially the social media element. Almost everybody in the world over the age of sixteen now have at least one active social media account, with most young adults averaging at two active social media platforms.

So, when it comes to dealing with the loss of a loved one, how does social media play it part?

Sharing loss and expressing emotions through the glaring eyes of social media is definitely a sensitive subject and something that will be considered on a personal, individual level by everyone. When it comes to knowing how much and what to share, is completely subjective but we do have a few tips for getting the etiquette right when it comes to dealing with death on social media.

Let immediate family post first

It seems like a no brainer right?! Letting immediate and close family post first, will allow those closest to their loved one to set the tone for social media posting and how much detail should be revealed. Being the first to break the news should come from those closest to the deceased, as it can be important that people find out before seeing your social media post.

Don’t go into too much detail

There is absolutely no need to uncover sensitive details on social media that others could find uncomfortable or distressing to read. Being considerate and respectful to those who are also grieving the loss of a loved one is of the upmost importance when using social media to express emotion.

Don’t bombard the bereaved

Those closest the deceased will have enough on their plate without you bombarding them with messages, no matter how supportive or attentive you think you may be being. Sending one message or replying to a post letting the bereaved know that you’re thinking of them is enough. If urgent information is required for whatever reason, be understanding, respectful and considerate, try to gain that information without overstepping boundaries.

Forgo funeral selfies

As social media has become such a huge part of our lives, some of us feel the need to document our lives on social media, but some things you just shouldn’t post. Funeral selfies have become a popular trend in the younger generation, and although there is no intent of offence to be caused, these can be assumed as extremely distasteful and disrespectful. Avoid taking selfies at a funeral, in fact avoid the use of your phone at all if possible.

Grief is one of the hardest emotional hardships that almost everybody in the world has to deal with at one point or another in their lives. Loneliness is one of the most common post-bereavement issues that people deal with, but losing your loved one doesn’t have to equally eternal loneliness. Thomas Brothers have some top tips for coping with loneliness after loss…

Grieve in your own way and in your own time…

There is no right or wrong way to grieve the loss of a loved one and taking your own time to grieve at your own pace is absolutely essential. The worst thing you can do is put pressure on yourself to feel or act a certain way for yourself or for other people. You are entitled to express your emotions accordingly, and people won’t judge you for that.

Be aware of how grief is affecting you physically…

Being aware of the physical symptoms of grief will allow you to properly take care of yourself, consequently allowing you to have a clearer mind when you respond correctly to your body.

Exhaustion, loss of appetite, panic attacks, aching and comfort eating are all very common physical symptoms of grief, and addressing them will help you in the long run.

Know that there is support out there…

There are hundreds of support groups and therapists who specialise in bereavement all over the country, so there really is no excuse not to confront the trouble you’re having with coping with your loss.

These support networks can be especially helpful if you’re finding it difficult to reach out to friends and family at this time. Those attending the support groups will also be like minded and seeking a similar solace which can be comforting and combating loneliness.

Talk, talk and talk some more…

Talking is one of the biggest and best releases you can get from confronting your problems dealing with a loss and escaping loneliness. Talking is a form of therapy and allows you to open up so that people can have an element of understanding of what you’re going through.

Always remember the person you lost…

Steering clear of loneliness can be hard, especially if your loss was somebody you spent a lot of time with, maybe even lived with! With that said, the cure to loneliness and overcoming your grief is not about forgetting how you feel about that person, it’s about being able to deal with your emotions towards your loss in a healthy way.

Remembering and reminiscing about the person you have lost can be really therapeutic and offers an opportunity to look back on the reasons they were in your life and the memories you made with them, which will trigger happy times. 

If you’re feeling lonely after a loss there is so much out there now to help you overcome these negative emotions. Whether you want to anonymously find your way back to a good place or more open to seeking solace in other people, there are ways to get through it and there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

‘Funeral’ fear is more common than you might think. The thought of going to a funeral can be extremely uncomfortable and overwhelming for a number of people and for a number of reasons. You may think that not attending at all would be the best solution to dealing with your anxieties and fears, but many people will regret not taking the opportunity to show their respects and say their final goodbyes to a loved one.

Funeral anxiety can stem from many different issues, including social anxiety which can make you feel uncomfortable when asked to deliver a eulogy or play another important role in the funeral. You may feel uncomfortable expressing your emotions around people that you haven’t seen for a long time. If you are struggling with anxiety and fear of an upcoming funerals we have four ways to cope…

BE HONEST ABOUT YOUR FEELINGS

Being honest about your feelings, emotions and anxieties brewing about the funeral is a great way to get family and friends to understand your hesitations to take part. Discussing your issues with those closest too you is a great way to actually get some perspective and take the stress away from the feelings you have been bottling up.

IT’S OKAY TO NOT BE OKAY

Something you have to remember is that, funerals are sad. You will find that everybody sitting at the funeral with you will be mourning and expressing their emotions in their own way. If you have to deliver a eulogy it’s important to remember that everybody will completely understand if you need to take pauses to deal with your emotions.

FIND SOMEONE YOU CAN RELY ON AND CONFIDE IN

Having somebody you can lean on in this difficult time can be really valuable when dealing with your fears and anxieties. Also they can be your support when you attend the funeral, and be a shoulder to cry on when you have emotional moments during the service.

SELF CARE

Most importantly, it’s imperative to recognise these emotions and be kind to yourself when dealing with them. Being mindful of your needs and your emotions will help with the anxieties and fears you may be experiencing and will help to relieve tension and stress you are feeling.

Writing an obituary may seem like an impossible task, but it’s something most of us have to do in our lifetime and you’re definitely not alone if you’re finding it hard to write.

An obituary is generated to announce the death of a loved one and allows the family and friends to express sadness and celebrate the life of the person who has passed away. Thomas Brothers know a thing or two about writing an obituary, and in this post we are sharing our top tips.

Announcement of death

First and foremost, you traditionally begin with the name, age, date of birth and date of death at the beginning of an obituary. You will find that some families like to keep it brief, but feel free to go into more detail if you feel necessary to do so. A common wonder is whether to add the cause of death to an obituary, and we recommend not to, unless you have the full support to do so from ALL friends and family. The cause of death could be something that people want to remain private, and they are more entitled to feel that way. Be cautious when going into detail and make sure that everybody is on board with how the announcement is structured.

A short bio

A short bio is a really fitting addition to an obituary and gives the reader a short and snappy insight to the kind of person the deceased was. You can include personal achievements, hobbies and the things they loved in life. Make sure you add lots of rich information that will represent your loved one’s personality and what they stood for, perfectly. This can be a really comforting and memorable part of an obituary for so many that cared for your loved one, so be thoughtful and make sure you take your time on writing this part.

Family ties

Adding the people that meant the most to the deceased is the next mark to go onto in your obituary. If they had a huge family, feel free to summarise, however if they had some very close family members, share a bit more detail. You can summarise their role in their family by simply adding something like ‘loving wife, auntie, daughter, cousin…” etc.

Funeral arrangements

An obituary allows you to extend an invitation easily when it comes to the funeral arrangements. An essential addition to your obituary is the date, time of service and location of the funeral. Any other specifics like dress codes can be added to, and will offer an opportunity to give information of the funeral widespread with ease.

Photographs

A picture can say a thousand words, and using photos that best represent your loved one is imperative for a great obituary. Photographs help to enhance the memory of someone who has passed away and can be a comforting addition to the obituary. You can use a simple headshot, or you could get more creative and add photos that represent who your loved one was and what they lived for. This heart warming area of your obituary will provide great comfort to those that knew the deceased well, and a better insight to the life of your loved one if they’re not as close.

Embracing the personal touch is becoming a hugely popular sentiment in modern day funerals and wake services. Using unique ideas that are personalised to the lost loved one can be endearing and create something that can represent them for longer than a lifetime. In this post we will be taking a look at five creative ideas for a unique send off.

SEED CARDS

Seed cards are a popular and brilliant way to spread remembrance to everybody in the life of your lost loved ones, especially if they enjoyed the garden. The cards can be personalised and allows people to plant something in their gardens that will leave a legacy of remembrance.

PERSONALISING A CASKET

Personalising caskets is becoming a really popular way to create a unique send off for your loved one. There are many companies that can offer this service including colourful or branded caskets. From favourite football teams to butterflies and stars, the possibilities are endless.

ASHES TO DIAMONDS

An increasingly popular unique send off is turning ashes into diamonds. You can do a lot of things with the cremated ashes of your loved one and whilst many spread the ashes, creating something that you can keep with you at all times is a popular choice too.

FIREWORKS DISPLAY

Celebrating the life of your loved one can be important for mourning and can be uplifting for those struggling to cope. A fireworks display is a beautiful way to add some unique to your loved ones funeral or wake. Fireworks can be a fitting display for your bright and bubbly loved one and you can personalise the display to their personality.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO ADD COLOUR

Many people are steering clear from the traditional black and white colours we see at funerals, and opting for an injection of colour. When it comes to the hearse, the dress code, the flowers and even the casket, these days, colour represents a fun loving spirit and a loved one who would want to be remembered for being colourful and bright. There are so many ways to inject the personality of the person that has passed into their remembrance and their funeral service. Thomas Brothers can help you to create unique memories and ideas that will add a more personalised touch to your loved one’s funeral.