The Baby Boomer generation, or those born between 1946 and 1965, are currently — to put in a morbid way — “on their way out.” As those born in the Baby Boomer generation get older and die, a clear trend is emerging: many baby boomers are planning funerals which aren’t the typical somber, empty affair which was considered traditional in the past. Traditional funerals tend to take place in churches or other religious areas, feature a casket – perhaps with a bundle of flowers and a photograph on top – and some religious or memorial speeches. Modern funerals, however, run the gamut from simple to extravagant. And Baby Boomer funerals are no exception. To put it in another way… these are not your grandpa’s funerals. Baby Boomer funerals are considered by the funeral industry to be some of the most elaborate funerals outside of those put together for officials and other high-profile people, because Baby Boomers are incorporating an endless amount of personal touches and tweaks to their funeral services. This not only makes a funeral service personalized, but often more expensive–not that funeral directors are complaining!

Traditional funerals often placed the casket at the back of the service area and, most often, surrounded it with a few bunches of flowers and a solitary photograph. Baby Boomer funerals, however, are much more elaborate. The casket will not simply be surrounded by beautiful though impersonal flowers, but by personal memorabilia which celebrates that person’s life–awards, photographs, hobby items, and other prized possessions. Traditional funerals often placed somber, religious music – if any music at all. Baby boomer funerals often feature personalized music, such as the deceased’s favorite song, which can range from a beautiful ballad, a somber opera song, or a cranked-up, crazy rock number. Some funerals may even feature a live performance! Theater-loving Baby Boomers, for example, may put together a live excerpt from a Baby Boomer’s favorite play or musical to be performed at their funeral. Essentially, the sky is the limit when it comes to personalizing a Baby Boomer funeral.

Personalized touches are not the only Baby Boomer funeral trend. Other trends include casket options, like the recently made Memory Safe Drawer. This drawer is an addition to a casket which allows for family, friends and other loved ones to place notes, cards, objects and other mementos into a casket drawer as a way to provide comfort to the grieving.

Other trends take more advantage of modern technology. A popular memorial tribute featured at many Baby Boomer funerals is a video of the deceased, usually set to their favorite music—some may have it played on plasma televisions set up in the funeral parlor!

The key to understanding Baby Boomer funeral trends is this: think outside the box! Traditional funerals are not the only way to do things and traditional services are no longer the status-quo, as Baby Boomers have shown time and time again.

When planning a service, be sure to check out our wide variety of Obituary Template examples and read our article on Funeral Songs.