Deaths lose dignity

Dierdre Macken writes in the weekend Australian Financial Review about professionally managed funerals. She refers to the TV add where Guardian Funerals have been so wonderful to bring the departed husband's old sports car along. Some funerals are becoming a circus of music and material trappings rather than the dignified reflection of a quiet country church service. Just as more than 50% of marriages now become celebrant/wedding planner versus church run, funerals are following suit.

In Australia in 2006, 40 sons and daughters of living parents die every day (on average) and 260 mothers and fathers of living children die each day. In 2020 when the baby boomers are hitting 75 there will be 330 parents with living children dying per day. With kin now increasingly dispersed across Australia and overseas, coordination of travel, accommodation and times for funerals makes immediate reflection for family members a second priority. Then if the departed was a prominent sportsperson, pop star or involved in military combat, there will be public and political intrusions to contend with. Just as ?no flowers? by request has become a common family wish, wills may soon include ?no funeral service? by advance request of the departed.

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