More than half of Britons would choose cremation over burial
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Version 0 of 1. Do you want to have your ashes catapulted from a second world war plane, scattered around your favourite football ground or even fashioned into a dinky glass ornament? Research has revealed that more than half of Britons (55%) want to be cremated after they have died. They are also very clear about what they would like to happen to their ashes. Insurance company British Seniors Insurance Agency asked consumers (in a weighted poll of 2,000 people) where they would like their ashes scattered, and received responses ranging from the very sentimental to the downright unusual. The most popular - and conventional - options are at sea, alongside a loved one, in a graveyard, in a favourite beauty spot or even in their garden. Footy fans, not surprisingly, elected for their ashes to be scattered at their favourite team’s grounds, including Stamford Bridge, Old Trafford, the Emirates Stadium, Loftus Road and Elland Road. Most football clubs, however, ban fans from scattering ashes over their pitches, although some have memorial gardens where it is permitted. More outlandish choices ranged from having ashes buried under a cannabis plant, in the wash or even dumped in the bin. The poll showed that only 22% of respondents chose to be buried, with 20% unsure about their funeral plans. Only 21% had some form of life cover in place to help cover the costs of their funeral. The Scattering Ashes website gives useful advice about the law relating to scattering ashes - and situations where permission from a venue will be required, along with the practicalities of the popular options of scattering on water - not as straightforward as it might seem. The Co-operative Funeralcare - the UK’s largest chain of funeral directors - said in recent research that more than half of people choose to scatter a loved one’s ashes, while 20% have absolutely no idea what to do with them. |