Memorial Ceremonies

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Helping us understand what people in Hampshire would like from a Memorial Ceremony

Memorial Service

Hampshire Perspectives is the County Council's residents' forum

This report summarises key findings from the 38th Hampshire Perspectives survey.

It was conducted to help us understand more about the awareness and experience of Memorial Ceremonies amongst people in Hampshire, and to explore what people would look for from such a service. The Council is considering changes to its services: the responses to the survey will feed into this process.

The survey was open from 16 October to 3 November 2024.  Hampshire Perspectives members were invited to take part, and it was also publicised on the County Council’s ‘Other Ways to have your Say’ webpage. 654 respondents completed it in total.

Key findings were as follows:

  • Most respondents were aware of memorial ceremonies, and about half of them had attended one.
  • Survey participants who had attended one particularly appreciated a less formal atmosphere compared with traditional funerals, and the opportunity to celebrate an individual’s life while providing closure in an inclusive ceremony.
  • A majority of respondents would consider arranging a memorial service for a loved one (instead of, or as well as, a funeral).
  • In terms of what would be looked for in a memorial ceremony, the most essential element was seen as planning a ceremony with a dedicated individual.
  • Respondents felt that it was important that pricing for the service would be flexible to reflect individual choice:
    • those who would want more options within a ceremony were generally prepared to pay slightly more than those looking for fewer things to be included.
  • When planning a ceremony, family and friends and internet searches would be the most common source of advice, with only about a quarter of respondents saying they would seek advice from the Registration Service.