Forget tradition: top funeral trends in 2025

What does it mean to honor a life? That question has taken on new depth in recent years as our culture redefines the ways we say goodbye to the loved ones we’ve lost. As society evolves, so too do the traditions surrounding death, remembrance, and celebration. Funerals and cremations were once defined by formality and somber tones, but more and more people are taking a personalized and emotional approach.

In 2025, the rituals surrounding death are not disappearing—they’re transforming. Modern funerals may take place in gardens or galleries. Cremation doesn’t always involve fire. Technology brings distant loved ones close, while green practices return the body to the earth with reverence. More than ever, people are choosing meaning over convention, simplicity over spectacle, and authenticity over formality.

So which trends have started surfacing in funerary arrangements? Click through this gallery to find out.

A new era of remembrance

The modern funeral is increasingly becoming a celebration rather than a somber event, as families seek to honor their loved ones' stories in a way that emphasizes joy and connection instead of loss and mourning.

Redefining memorial settings

Funeral homes are also reinventing themselves, often branding as celebration of life centers and moving from dark, somber spaces to bright, welcoming venues that encourage togetherness.

Stories told through personalization

Funeral services are now shaped to reflect a deceased person's unique essence. If you were to venture into a service, you might find memorabilia, favorite songs, curated playlists, personalized dress codes, and tributes that bring the loved one’s personality to the forefront.

Unconventional locations

Hosting memorials at places like parks, beaches, bars, and museums is also gaining popularity. This is due to an ever-growing trend where memorials are considered as unique and meaningful as the lives they commemorate.

How water becomes remembrance

The water cremation process uses heated water and alkaline chemicals to reduce the body into bone fragments and a sterile liquid. The approach echoes natural decomposition in a faster, more controlled environment.

Becoming one with nature

Human composting is another trend that has grown recently. The process allows the body to rejoin the earth as nutrient-rich soil, using biodegradable materials and microbial activity to complete the life cycle and support new growth in a deeply ecological process.

Soil-based memorials

While still a niche option, human composting is gaining recognition as a deeply symbolic and sustainable end-of-life choice, though it is currently legal only in a handful of US states. Outside of the US, the only country to have legalized human composting is Sweden.

Carrying legacy

From turning ashes into jewelry and diamonds to pressing them into vinyl records, the options for commemorating a loved one’s life through cremation have expanded far beyond traditional urns and burial plots.

Death doulas

Similar to birth doulas who assist in pregnancy, death doulas provide emotional and spiritual support to those nearing death, helping individuals and families embrace mortality with honesty, dignity, and deeply personal care.

Digital tools transforming funerals

Technology has revolutionized end-of-life planning and has made it easier than ever. It assists in online scheduling, tribute creation, and even interactive obituaries that expand access and engagement for grieving families and friends.

Telling a fuller story

Funerary practices have also started including QR codes on programs and even gravestones. Using technology, these QR codes link mourners to digital memorials where they can watch videos, view photos, and read stories about their lost loved one.

Living funerals

While there are many people who stand by the adage “funerals are for the living,” people with terminal diagnoses are increasingly choosing to attend their own funerals. These living funerals are joyful, heartfelt gatherings where they can hear eulogies, enjoy time with loved ones, and say meaningful goodbyes.

Empowering families through involvement

More and more families are also choosing to participate in after-death rituals, from preparing the body for burial to witnessing cremations. Rather than simply attending a funeral, they are actively taking part in the death process, and bringing a deeper sense of connection and healing.

Participating in the final moments

By being part of these deeply personal steps, families create enduring, intimate memories, fostering a deeper acceptance of death and strengthening bonds across generations in the wake of loss.