continued
or in far flung parts of the world. A return to the
idea of a smaller and more personal memorial is
becoming much more appropriate as society’s views
on death shift and change. We now think about
choosing memorials that can be moved with us or
shared between a family.
In the 20th century, the variety and choice of
memorials shrank. The public seemed to develop a
more hands-off approach. We had less involvement
in the burial or cremation process, accepting purely
what was on offer from the local funeral directors.
design, style of service or choice of final resting
place that truly reflects the life of a person. The
internet has opened a new world of opportunity for
people to source information and ideas for more
personal, individual and human commemorations.
The choices available are continuing to grow, from
the tastefully imaginative, to the openly wacky.
For people preferring the choice of a humanist
funeral, green burial or cremation, the option of a
image courtesy of www.eco-urns.co.uk
image courtesy of www.memorialsbyartists.co.uk
After finding it almost impossible to commission
an individually designed and hand cut headstone,
Harriet Frazer MBE founded the Memorials by
Artists Trust in 1988. The trust aimed to promote
the skills of the best letter cutters and carvers in
the country, while encouraging the public to choose
beautifully made headstones instead of the mass
produced versions commonly available.
Since its inception more than 20 years ago;
the Memorials by Artists Trust has prompted a
quiet revolution, encouraging people to consider
a broader range of options for commemorating
life. Today people can quickly and easily research
online to find a funeral-type, celebrant, casket
headstone is no longer relevant. In my experience
the public are increasingly seeking fitting alternative
memorials. The traditional cemetery and headstone
will always, of course, have its place, but we live
in rapidly changing times and people’s needs and
expectations are certainly broadening. There is an
undeniably growing movement towards finding
refreshing, new and uplifting ways to celebrate a
life. I genuinely believe memorials will continue to
develop in the future – increasingly capturing the
essence of an individual for others to quietly reflect
upon at home, in the garden and in the cemetery.