NEW research commissioned by the owners of Forest of Dean Crematorium has revealed that attended funerals are “essential” for saying a proper goodbye to a loved one and there is a huge preference for personalised services.

The research, with more than 2,000 people aged over 55, who have planned a funeral over the past five years, revealed 77 per cent of people think it is essential to say a proper goodbye, despite the rise of unattended cremations in recent years, while 92 per cent of respondents said that having a personalised service is important.

Many families are left without guidance when the time comes, with 65 per cent of those who arranged a funeral having had no, or only partial, instructions from their loved one.

Ed Lane, Managing Director for Crematoria and Cemeteries, said: “Our research results reinforce the importance of funerals not just as ceremonies, but as critical moments for connection, reflection and healing during times of grief.

“In fact, 77 per cent of our respondents agreed that a funeral service is important for people to come together and support each other when they are grieving a loss of a loved one.

“Personalisation, from music choices to readings, inclusion of meaningful items within the service, to allowing family pets to attend services, are just a few requests which we regularly make possible for families.

“These small, but meaningful, details all play a key role in helping families create a farewell that truly reflects the life lived, supporting healthier grieving.”

The research also identified that 54 per cent of people find it difficult to discuss their own death with family, often describing it as “uncomfortable”, 53 per cent have either made no funeral plans or have kept them private and just 12 per cent have a paid funeral plan in place.

Find out more about the crematorium via its website www.forestofdeancrematorium.co.uk