When you think of a drive-thru, the first thing that comes to mind is fast-food – but it seems the popular craze just keeps growing, as families right round the world can now drive past and see their loved one lying in their coffin.
A funeral director in America is the latest to open a drive-thru funeral home where you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your own car to pay your respects.
Ryan Bernard from Memphis, Tennessee told the New York Post he wants to create a different and fun way for family members and friends to farewell their loved ones – as far removed from the traditional service as possible.
“It benefits in a lot of ways, you think of people, elderly people, disabled people, maybe lacking in mobility, they can show their respects by driving through,” the funeral director told the publication.
“I’ve had people who don’t like coming into funeral homes, it spooks them out, gives them a bad feeling, it (drive-thru funeral) helps them.”
The unique concept has already impressed local residents who were originally quite sceptical of the idea, with one woman saying her deceased sister would be happy with their “different” service.
Creative funerals are definitely on the rise as more people decide to celebrate life instead of struggling with overwhelming grief upon the passing of someone close.
Colourful clothing and happy music instead of the previously common black dress and emotional songs are on trend, while others are even creating their own coffins in advance.
Just last month a Kiwi “coffin club” was launched into the spotlight, as members displayed their beautiful, artistic and individual coffins they had created in preparation.
The cheap and cheerful designs proved both cost effective and fun to create for the retirees, using it as a bonding experience in what is usually a fairly bleak time.
Meanwhile, a major funeral company in the UK is ensuring people don’t break the bank when planning their service by offering an option to drop the official ceremony and focus on the scattering of ashes.
No matter what the decision, there are plenty of different options out there whether you choose to go down the more traditional path or step outside the box and try something fun and unique.