The way we say goodbye is changing. Families today are seeking more personal, expressive ways to honour a life. Ceremonies are becoming reflections of the individual’s personality, passions and values.
The Farewell Guide sees this shift every day. People are planning ahead, recording their wishes and choosing memorials that feel meaningful. At the centre of it all are funeral directors who bring these wishes to life.
Said Rebecca Peach, CEO of The Farewell Guide, “planning ahead doesn’t just make things easier. It gives people a voice in how they’re remembered. It gives families clarity when they need it most. And it gives funeral professionals the confidence to deliver services that are not only appropriate, but deeply personal.”
Some of the most intimate tributes are the ones you can hold close. Jewellery made with ashes, fingerprints or hair is becoming a cherished way to remember someone. Stunning pieces including rings, pendants and cufflinks can also be created, as can glass keepsakes into custom colours, turning memories into something tangible.
“These are the kinds of wishes people often record in The Farewell Guide,” added Rebecca, “ensuring their loved ones know exactly what matters to them.”
Even the coffin can become a canvas for memory, with eco-friendly options crafted from materials like willow and cardboard, and they are open to personalisation in the most touching ways. Families have used them as collaborative keepsakes, writing messages, pinning photographs, decorating them with drawings and fabric. Some have even added dried or pressed petals, turning the coffin into a living tribute. These gestures often pair beautifully with forever flowers, dried or preserved blooms that last long after the service. They can be kept as keepsakes, framed, or even incorporated into memorial jewellery. They are a gentle way to carry memory forward.
The Farewell Guide has also seen a growing interest in living funerals, celebrations held while the person is still here to enjoy them. Kris Hallenga, founder of Coppafeel!, hosted her own farewell surrounded by music, colour and joy. Her story has inspired many Farewell Guide users to rethink what a funeral can be and be open to talk about it. From memory playlists and themed attire to candle lighting and petal scattering, these small gestures bring emotional depth and authenticity. The Farewell Guide helps individuals capture these ideas in advance, so their send-off feels like a true reflection of who they are.
Nature offers some of the most powerful ways to remember. Planting a tree, choosing a woodland burial, or contributing ashes to a coral reef restoration project are tributes that give back to the planet. These choices often reflect deeply held values. By documenting them in The Farewell Guide, individuals ensure their farewell aligns with what they stood for, and funeral directors can source the right products and services with confidence.
Digital memorials are helping families bridge distance and time. Livestreamed ceremonies, online guestbooks and tribute videos allow loved ones near and far to share memories and say goodbye. The Farewell Guide includes tools to help plan these elements, making it easier to coordinate during emotionally intense moments.
For those with a sense of adventure, celestial memorials offer something extraordinary. A portion of a loved one’s ashes canb e launched into near space, complete with video footage and a commemorative certificate. It is poetic, powerful and perfect for someone who always looked up at the stars.
Memorialisation has come a long way from gravestones and lilies. Today, it is about legacy, creativity and connection. With The Farewell Guide, individuals can record their wishes in detail, and funeral directors can deliver truly memorable experiences shaped by innovation and led by love. No matter how we remember our loved ones they will never be forgotten.