'Techno dance party': More Aussies ditching traditional 'die and cry' funerals

Anne Miles doesn't want her friends and family to cry at her funeral. She wants them to party. 

The venue will be bright, filled with positivity and love, accompanied by some of the 57-year-old's favourite music, techno.

She is one of millions of Australians who are veering away from a traditional "die and cry" funeral, instead opting for celebration.

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It's an extremely important topic for Miles, who is adamant about being remembered for her infectious personality and not for the loss of her life. 

"It's definitely more of a celebration than a morning," Miles told 9news.com.au. 

"I think people are definitely moving away from the religious side of it."

Mourners will be dressed in white and will write messages of love and affection on her coffin, which will be cardboard.

"I thought how cool would it be if I had a techno party and (have everyone) hang out in the bar," she said.

"Let's celebrate the spirituality of it.

"I even had this idea that everyone could write a sticky note and stick it on a wall that would mention the most fun time we had together.

"Everyone could just enjoy the mosaic wall and then take a photo of it and it could be sort of a tribute."

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'If it's legal, it's possible': Trends move towards celebrations

According to data from the Cost of Death Report released by Seniors Australia, 83 per cent of seniors have shown a preference for celebrating their life, rather than mourning it.  

Funerals are also moving with the times, according to the report, with 60 per cent using a livestreaming service and 30 per cent using video tributes.

Tobin Brothers funeral managing director James MacLeod told 9news.com.au the industry had seen a "continuous movement" towards life-centred funerals.

The pandemic also had a large influence on the popularity of funeral webcasting, he said.

"Historically, funerals were faith-based. We are moving more to the funeral being a celebration of one's life," MacLeod said.

"Our attendance levels were limited to only 10 people for nearly two years.

"It has continued post-COVID and we are still seeing similar numbers of webcasts every month provided to client families.

"Families can watch from wherever they are, everyone around the world can participate in the funeral."

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Two in five Australians attended a funeral remotely over the past two years, either due to restrictions or being too far away, according to the Cost of Death report.

Themed and creative funerals are also on the rise, with many moving away from a traditional venue.

One Tobin Brothers funeral was even held at a bowling club, MacLeod said.

He said everyone played barefoot bowls after the ceremony.  

"(The woman) was a member of the local bowling club and was there every week, she loved the club," he said. 

"My philosophy is if it's legal, it's possible. It's really important."

For marketing consultant Miles, who is due to turn 58 next week, it's equally important to have a funeral plan in place.

She said speaking about it with her children can often feel unnatural, but didn't want them to be burdened with the planning if anything did happen. 

"My kids are fantastic about it. They are quite contemporary thinkers," Miles said.

"But my parents, brother and sister, they cannot accept any of my sort of ways. 

"If I left my funeral to my family, it would be my worst nightmare."

She said when the time comes her children know exactly what she wants.

"I started having those conversations with (my kids) and said, 'I just want you to know'.

"I just reemphasised how important it was to keep my family out of my plan.

"I'm just trying to be certain because I'm pretty particular if I have a funeral, like, I don't want it boring."



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