London residents are increasingly turning their backs on traditional religious funeral services, opting instead for diverse and sometimes eccentric celebrations of life, according to Co-op Funeralcare homes in the area.

Planning for a funeral is something that most people will do at some point in their lives, giving others a chance to remember their life and help them move on. Funeral Directors are able to help at all stages of the planning process, whether a person is planning their own in advance, or one for a relative or close friend. Most of the time, these funerals are fairly traditional, however, some choose to do some, or all, parts of it a little differently. A Chinese takeaway, a sausage roll, and half a bar of chocolate have been revealed as some of the most unique items people have asked to be buried with, according to the UK’s largest report into funeral trends from the Co-op.

Based on insight from its funeral directors, from over 500,000 funerals conducted in the last five years and the views of 4,000 British adults, the report reveals the most unique things people have asked to be placed in their caskets in London.

Top 10 most unusual items that have been placed inside a coffin:

1. Chinese takeaway
2. A sausage roll
3. Golf balls
4. Car number plate
5. Ashes of a pet
6. Mobile phone
7. Playing cards
8. Fishing rod
9. Colourful rug
10. Half a bar of chocolate

The research also finds 85% of local funeral directors in London think families are now more open to unique funerals compared to five years ago.