18 Non-Traditional Funeral Ideas For A Memorable Day

A funeral is the last chance to say goodbye to someone you loved and for family and friends to come together during a difficult time. It doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s funeral, however. Have you thought about non-traditional funeral ideas? Let Peerspace give you a hand with some ideas on how to plan a truly memorable day for your departed friend, coworker, or family member!

1. Have a home funeral

A home funeral is always an option if you don’t want to have a ceremony at a funeral home. The main advantage of a home funeral is familiarity. Guests can engage with each other in a space that’s deeply significant to all attending. You can include anything you want without the restrictions of a rental venue. Plus it saves money compared to a funeral home ceremony.

2. Host a memorial gala

A memorial gala is the best way to honor someone’s memory while advancing a cause they were passionate about. That cause could be cancer research, homelessness, environmental degradation, or another purpose altogether. This non-traditional funeral idea can be expanded on further by making the gala a charity auction, potluck, walk-a-thon, or other event.

Have you thought about what kind of space you’ll be hosting your memorial gala? Peerspace has plenty of suitable spaces near you, like this light-filled industrial loft venue in Houston, TX! The private rooftop provides a place for guests to gather outside of the main event venue. Plus you’ll have a full kitchen if meal preparation is required! 

3. Have a burial at sea

Burial at sea is a cost-effective alternative to a traditional funeral with ground burial. It is also the funeral of choice for many military veterans, fishermen, and other people who have spent a significant amount of their lives at sea. There are a few rules to be aware of; non-cremated remains are a little more complicated to bury. Fortunately, there are services to help you honor a loved one at sea in an environmentally compliant way!

4. Send their remains into outer space 

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Technology and science fiction lovers take notice! It’s never been easier or more cost-effective to send the remains of a loved one into outer space. You can have the dearly departed take the trip of a lifetime by entering near-Earth orbit and returning for a regular scattering of cremains. They can also head up, only to burn up in the atmosphere as a shooting star. You can also send them to the Moon or even off into deep space for an eternal journey among the stars.

Once you have the perfect venue, use these beautiful memorial service decoration ideas to create a fitting tribute to your loved one.

5. Donate the body to science

Non-traditional funeral ideas are not only more creative but also save costs compared to a traditional funeral service. The most cost-effective and beneficial to humanity of all might be donating a body to science. There is no charge since the facility is benefiting from the donation. If your departed loved one supported the sciences they would surely appreciate this move. What’s more, programs like Science Care handle everything from transportation to returning any cremated remains.

6. Have a scattering ceremony for the ashes

An ash-scattering ceremony can be as solemn or as lighthearted as you want it to be. Once you have the cremains there are all kinds of ways you can honor the departed with family and friends. Releasing doves along with the ashes has tremendous symbolic meaning, for example. The ashes can also be taken to a local park, spread on land owned by the family, or buried in your home flower bed! 

7. Do something meaningful with family and friends

Instead of having a solemn funeral ceremony, you can make a day of it with your loved ones. Volunteer at a local organization, visit the city your departed loved one most loved, head to a family cabin in the woods, share stories about the departed together…Do something that has significant meaning for the departed and their survivors alike!

8. Have memorial diamonds created

Did you know that diamonds can be made synthetically as well as found in the ground? Cremains can easily be incorporated into the material for memorial diamonds that let you remember your loved one every time you look at the jewelry! You can even choose different colors besides the natural clear of a diamond if red, blue, or yellow would hold more meaning for you.

9. Plan a trenching ceremony

Trenching ceremonies are an eco-friendly way to honor the departed. A trench is dug in a private garden or forest. The ashes are then laid inside along with flower and/or tree seeds. Then you have a ceremony where words can be shared and rituals practiced. Re-bury the seeds and ashes for a future memorial garden or grove you can visit over the years.

10. Have a reef burial

Is the departed friend or family member someone who was deeply conscious of environmentalism? They would surely appreciate their remains being used as part of the re-establishment of coral reefs! A reef burial combines the best of cremation, scattering of ashes, tree planting, and burial at sea. Instead of nourishing a tree, the ashes are mixed into the mortar of concrete used to rebuild dying coral reefs. Lovers of diving, fishing, and the sea should consider having a reef burial!

11. Have the remains composted into soil

Human composting is an alternative to cremation or burial that’s a popular choice for the eco-conscious. Instead of ashes, you’ll receive soil that can be used for gardening, planting, or scattering. Plus you can elect to have some sent to local conservation agencies that will use the soil for land restoration projects. If your departed loved one was a hiker, backpacker, or conservationist, they will love this non-traditional funeral idea versus a wasteful ground burial.

12. Make cremation art and glassware 

There are a lot of possibilities for the ashes after a cremation. One way to use them is by having cremation art or glassware created from the remains! Since ashes are a fine powder it’s simple to mix them into glass for sculptures, bird feeders, memorial plaques, paperweights, and pendants. The keepsake will last decades with care and provides an easy opportunity to reflect on your love for the departed.

13. Buy cremation fireworks for a spectacular show

Are you looking to help someone go out with a bang? Cremation fireworks are the best way to wrap up a celebration of life or other upbeat non-traditional funeral idea. You have cremains mixed into the fireworks, which are then sent up into the sky for an unforgettable evening!

How long does it take to plan a funeral or memorial service? Learn all about it with our helpful guide.

14. Resomation or water cremation for the remains

Fire cremations aren’t the only way to get ashes for eventual ceremonial use. “Water cremations” are another option: the process involves a water and lye solution that greatly accelerates the decomposition process. The remains are then fired as normal using heat; since there is less matter to be cremated, the time and energy required are reduced. You pay a little more for water cremation but get about 20% more ashes compared to traditional cremation. Plus it’s even more ecological-friendly!

15. Hold a celebration of life gathering

A celebration of life ceremony differs from a funeral in that it’s more upbeat. The atmosphere is party-like as guests enjoy each other’s company, share stories to make each other laugh, and remember all of the good the departed brought into their lives. Celebration of life events aren’t held at funeral homes; you’ll usually have one at home, at the park, or at a party venue instead.

Peerspace has many venues near you suitable for a celebration of life event! One of our favorites is this versatile event space in Seattle, WA, with dimmable lights, a spacious kitchen for meal preparation, and other amenities!

16. Scatter the ashes from a plane or drone

Scattering ashes from an airplane is the best way to honor someone who loved travel, nature, and the sky. It has a feeling of freedom, love for life, and endless possibilities that a traditional funeral might not generate in guests. You’ll need to make sure you do it in a way that is in accordance with the law since some cremains will still make landfall. Fortunately, drone and plane aerial scatterings are easier than ever to do! 

17. Write stories about the departed 

Here is a more creatively inspired non-traditional funeral idea that is perfect for artistic types. Have friends and family of the dearly departed write out stories, memories, and other fond moments that they could share during the ceremony. Even if they don’t want to read them aloud, the written memories, tales, and well-wishes can still be shared by someone else (or kept private). Once all of the writing is collected, have it made into a book that’s given to the family of the departed.

18. Add the ashes to a vinyl track

Was your departed loved one a music aficionado? Have the ashes pressed into a custom-made vinyl track. The record can be imbued with a song that had meaning for them or both of you. Or you can even have no song in particular created; a moment of silence punctuated by cracks and pops as a minimalist yet reflective approach.

Non-traditional funeral ideas: conclusion

From firework shows to burials at sea, a funeral doesn’t have to be held in the usual way. You can make the day as unique as your dearly departed friend or family member with one of the non-traditional funeral ideas we’ve laid out for you. As experts in event planning, Peerspace is here to help! We even have event venues near you for funerals of all varieties.

Find non-traditional funeral venues near you on Peerspace