Brits rejecting mournful funerals in favour of pop songs

London, Jan 24 (ANI): A new study has found that Britons are turning away from traditional funerals in favour of "celebrations" featuring favourite pop songs, football teams and hobbies.

Research by The Co-operative Funeralcare has found that half of today's funerals are a "celebration of life" and one in 10 (12 pc) do not include any religious elements.

The survey suggests that the funerals for Diana, Princess of Wales and Jade Goody have transformed modern customs, encouraging personal services instead of those organised mainly by church officials or funeral providers.

The poll of 850 funeral homes and 2,000 British adults found that more than half of the population (54 pc) would prefer a celebration at their send off, and almost half (48 pc) wanted a service that reflected their favourite hobby, colour, football team or music.

"The funerals of Princess Diana and Jade Goody have opened people's eyes to the array of choices available from cars to coffins, pop songs to white doves. Most importantly, today's funerals are increasingly a celebration of life rather than mourning a loss," the Daily Express quoted Funeral historian Dr Julian Litten as saying.(ANI)