The Changing Face of Funerals

In the not too distant past, funerals were a grim business. Mourners wore black and remained somber from the moment they heard about their loved one’s death through the funeral, burial, reception and beyond. Prune-faced mortuary owners fit well into a landscape where joking was frowned upon and solemnity was expected.

Thankfully, those days are gone. While the sense of loss after death is as profound as ever, today’s funeral directors encourage clients to celebrate the lives of loved ones lost in any way they see fit. Recognizing that people are unique, they encourage their clients to embrace humanity…by thinking outside the box when it comes to planning, and allowing themselves the luxury of laughter as they remember the mark their family member or friend made on the world.

Here are three trends in mortuary service today:

Technology

The Internet has replaced the phone book as the place people turn to when researching funeral and memorial service options. At Foothill Funeral & Cremation Services (FFC), our website features our price lists and products, along with the price range of products and services for local competitors. We also provide a place for online tributes for families and friends, so distance is not a deterrent to honoring the dead.

Personalization

Mortuary clients make decisions based on a different set of values than previous generations. Most baby boomers see funerals as a non-negotiable part of the grieving process. But millennials struggle to redefine the content and structure of services. Their goal is to honor of their loved ones in meaningful, personal ways. As a result, today’s funeral services and associated products are as unique as the person who died.

Going Green

In the 1970’s, hippies were the first to embrace creative ways to say goodbye. As a result, cremation and burials at sea started to emerge as alternate options for disposal. But the trend did not become mainstream until recently. Today, the public’s preference for cremation is on the rise. In fact, the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) projects that the rate of cremation will soon exceed that of burial.

With an eye on saving money and the earth, today’s mourners are as likely to use cremains to plant a tree as they are to order embalming and open caskets. Depending on family’s preferences, green funerals can include a small gathering in a natural setting, use of only recycled paper products, locally-grown organic flowers, carpooling, organic food, no embalming or embalming with formaldehyde-free products, the use of sustainable biodegradable clothing, shroud or casket, and natural or green burial.

Centrally located at 402 West Baseline in Glendora, Foothill Funeral & Cremation proudly serves the San Gabriel Valley, San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles Basin, Orange County and the Inland Empire. We have worked hard over the years, putting our mortuary experience to good use. Building a reputation of quality, sincerity and trust, we value every client. And we would be honored to help you at your time of need or in the future. Call today (626) 335-0615 or drop by our showroom.