The pandemic forced upon many Americans a series of losses. Some of those included deaths where a proper funeral was not an option. The in-person, traditional ceremony was replaced with a live streamed version of the speakers giving eulogies without a live audience. This leads us to one of the top funeral trends to expect in 2022 – live-streaming is here to stay.
Live-Streaming Funeral Services
While many funerals will also be held in-person, the live-streamed portion is likely to stay with us as a new enhancement to funeral services. This allows those who live far away or simply cannot attend in person to participate in viewing the services. Most funeral homes and churches have the technology available to make these live-streamed services possible. Many programs allow for several views and clips so that the service is high quality and looks like many of the professional shows we watch on television.
Eco-Friendly Burials
The next trend that will continue into next year is that of eco-friendly burials. According to the Green Burial Council, best practices for an eco-friendly burial include foregoing embalming and choosing a biodegradable casket or urn. The most common type of casket being made of various types of wood. Some urns are made of a paper that dissolves in water.
Creative Alternatives
With a focus on environmentalism, there are now many more options available for human remains. Some popular alternatives include:
- Neptune Memorial Reef: Located off the coast of Key Biscayne, this unique final resting place is approved by the EPA. It was designed by a marine biologist who is constructing a safe underwater ecosystem.
- Celestis Memorial Spaceflight: This service launches cremated remains into the Earth’s orbit.
- The Living Urn: Cremated remains are planted with a young tree in a special eco-friendly urn. Family members can use the app to track the growth of the tree over the years.
- Memory Glass: A solid glass orb infused with the ashes of a loved one can become keepsakes for several family members and used as home décor.
- Parting Stones: A loved one’s ashes can be sent to a lab in New Mexico where they are converted into smooth, polished stones and given out to family members as keepsakes.
- Cremation Jewelry: A sterling silver or 14 karat gold charm holding a loved one’s ashes can be worn as a necklace or bracelet. Synthetic gems resembling diamonds can also be made infused with a loved one’s ashes. These cremation jewelry pieces become family heirlooms.
The main focus of the funeral trends expected in 2022 are being kind to the environment while giving family, near and far, a way to gather and remember as well a have something personal to hold onto. For more information on including funeral planning in your comprehensive estate plan, contact the estate planning attorneys at Stouffer Legal in the Greater Baltimore area. You can schedule an appointment by calling us at (443) 470-3599, emailing us at office@stoufferlegal.com, or register for an upcoming free webinar using the link below:
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