When surfing the waves of Twitter recently, we came across an interesting thread of sparked by BBC on human composting.

The thread was essentially a group of young people rooting for a more green approach to funerals. They spoke to the downsides of traditional funerals, and why they’re seemingly more irrelevant to the younger generation.

This conversation was so passion-fueled, that it inspired us to do some more Twitter surfing. This is where we uncovered a whole web of tweets discussing the downsides of traditional funerals.

The main arguments against traditional funerals? They are boring, expensive, impersonal, lack choices, and bad for the environment.

 

Why poke at traditional funerals?

As someone who can see that the future of funerals is evolving away from a more traditional approach, I felt inspired to share these tweets with you. These are real people, speaking their truth. And their truth is… that tradition is not the way of the future.

We recognize this may feel triggering, but whether or not you agree with these opinions, hear them out. Because these conversations are happening, with or without us. And it’s time we start taking part in them.

Here are 11 arguments AGAINST traditional funerals, in the form of tweets:

 

1.The environment.

Traditional funerals aren’t necessarily good for the environment.

Why would I want to be pumped with toxic chemicals, placed in a (likely) non-degradable overpriced box underground, And take up limited space. This and also cremation make my body unusable by nature. Why not compost it or natural burial and return to the Circle-of-Life universe?

— Zak 🐦 (@zjpereira) January 30, 2019

 

2. The fun factor.

Who would choose a traditional funeral when you can instead choose to celebrate life and have more fun?

Who said funerals had to be traditional? https://t.co/9wc7mvJwWh

— MetroLifestyle (@MetroUK_Life) January 21, 2019

 

3. Incredible boredom.

Even celebrities fear the idea of their own boring traditional funeral.

Sean Hughes imagines his death: ‘I know how boring funerals can be’ https://t.co/pvVjw3wZL2

— The Guardian (@guardian) October 17, 2017

 

4. Money.

Everyone knows that traditional funerals aren’t easy on the wallet.

Yes and I would add the huge expense of traditional funerals that most can hardly afford

— Cinnamongrl (@linav8) January 30, 2019

 

5. Harmony with nature.

The people of today want traditions and burial practices that are more in tune with nature… and they’re well on their way to creating them!

When I die I don’t want a traditional funeral. They take up too much space, are too expensive, and are bad for the environment. I want one of them green funerals where they wrap you up in biodegradable sheets and just bury you. Becoming a part of the earth the way nature intended

— DanniBoi (@eartthmandan) November 13, 2017

 

6.  Remembrance.

People who are dying want to be remembered, not mourned.

Instead of a funeral I want a party. Funerals are sucky and boring, parties are fun and exciting. I want to be remembered not mourned

— ✧ V ✧ (@poisetori) November 4, 2018

 

7. Cookie-cutter.

The families of the future want their funeral to represent THEIR life, not cookie-cutter phrases, songs, and traditions.

“Funerals are sad. I want five bouncy houses (because I’m 5), Batman and snow cones”: An Iowa boy’s unique obituary and memorial service are getting national attention. | https://t.co/GPcMg0iCfS pic.twitter.com/M4TVEzPObs

— WCCO – CBS Minnesota (@WCCO) July 14, 2018

 

8. Progressiveness.

Now that death is becoming less taboo to talk about, convention is no longer necessary.

WATCH: Let’s talk about death. ⚰️☠️⚱️ In this extraordinary and emotional @TEDx talk, bioarchaeologist Ronika Power @Macquarie_Uni @Cambridge_Uni urges us to rethink the convention of death – a topic that has become taboo in the modern Western world https://t.co/YPlB0g88DV

— CambridgeArchaeology (@UCamArchaeology) February 12, 2019

 

9. Choice.

Traditional funerals don’t offer much in the realm of choice, and in a world where choices are limitless, people want choices for their funeral, too.

Designing for death: From funeral comparison sites to services providing alternative headstones, we take a look at the brands bringing some much-needed innovation to death and funeral care – and giving people more choice over how they are remembered https://t.co/mq1EF4aket pic.twitter.com/jg018IzGGs

— Creative Review (@CreativeReview) November 27, 2018

 

10. Depth.

Funerals that focus on the individual’s story are touching. Impersonal religious scripture is not.

Our patron @theAliceRoberts made a particularly poignant comment on why the Humanist Funeral Tribute Archive is such a special innovation. https://t.co/LVPI1yZnnr pic.twitter.com/sabPMiA6qx

— Humanists UK (@Humanists_UK) June 12, 2018

 

11. The most obvious reason.

There are just too many other cool ways to celebrate your life than to opt into tradition!

there is so many cool ways to be put to rest now idk why you’d want the boring old traditional funeral

— Nacho (@NachoSoLoco) February 4, 2016

What’s your opinion — do you think traditional funerals will get left behind with the times, or survive and thrive? Do you agree with any of the arguments above?

Tell us in the comments below!