How Millenials Could Change Funeral Services in the Future

There are a lot of articles out there about how millennials are ruining certain industries because of economic or technological advances; but how are they affecting certain industries for the better? Millenials are rising through the workforce, and will make up 75% of all workers in America by 2030. So, as millennials begin to reach more mature age and are planning for their future, how will they plan for funerals?  Most millenials care about the environment, and utilizing technology to enhance more organic experiences. It is likely that they will look for funeral homes that will reflect the heightened sense of personalization, environmental concerns, and a connection with technology.

Pre-planning Funerals

Pre-planning appeals to a lot of people because it allows you to make a more financially conscious decision about your funeral needs; and allows you to take a more active role in your funerary wishes. Pre-planning a funeral is becoming more popular among the younger generation. Millennials also tend to shop around and make decisions regarding finances after finding what best suits their needs and wants, and pre-planning helps them take the time to figure out what those desires are.

Environmental Innovations

Environmentally friendly options are often more attractive to millennials than those of previous generations. They often look for more natural burial or cremation options; or those that have less of an impact on the environment. While there are not a lot of places for green burial in New York City, that could change in the future. Innovations in more environmentally friendly options are becoming less expensive, and will probably become mainstream some time in the future. Companies are developing biodegradable caskets, and even mushroom suits that compost the body after burial. Water cremation, a form of cremation that uses less energy and produces less emissions, has become legal in a number of states, but not yet New York. It is possible that in the future, more environmentally friendly options, such as this, become available to more people. 

Technology in Tributes

Technology is important in almost every field in order to stay relevant, and funerals are no different. We live so much of our lives online today. Video tributes are an important step in the right direction, as they allow friends and family to appreciate the life of the deceased. Some families choose to integrate technology by asking that the funeral be filmed; so that friends and family of the deceased that could not make it to the funeral can still say goodbye. Millennials also tend to shop online, and will look towards websites that are more content-rich and tailored towards their needs.

Personalization

Personalization is a very important aspect of funerals, and it is expected to become an even more important trend in the future. Customizations could include more specialized funeral services, and even custom caskets tailored towards the person’s style. With a further emphasis on preplanning, custom funeral services can become easier to accomplish; for both the funeral home and the family. 

For over 50 years, Matthew Funeral Home has been serving the Staten Island community. We can help with almost every aspect of your loved one’s memorial service. Our family is here to serve yours, every step of the way.