To mark the centenary of the end of World War I, Co-op Funeralcare has launched the UK’s first poppy hearse, transforming the traditional Ford Cardinal with a showering of 100 poppies.
The introduction of the poppy hearse to its fleet also responds to an increased demand for alternative vehicles from clients. Co-op Funeralcare, which forms part of the Co-op Group, has seen the number of requests for unique hearses in the last three years increase by a fifth.
David Collingwood, director of funerals at the Group, said: “Personalisation of funerals is something we’re seeing more and more frequently. Families want to reflect the unique personalities and interests that their loved ones had while they were alive.
“We always aim to make our clients’ wishes a reality and with a decreasing number of Brits wanting a traditional funeral, our growing fleet of alternative hearses is just one of the many ways that we can help do just that.”
The poppy hearse will be available nationwide immediately for funerals organised by Co-op Funeralcare and can be transported to any location across the UK.
Co-op Funeralcare conducts around 100,000 funerals each year, with one in 100 using alternative hearses.
In 2017 the Co-op Funeralcare’s most popular alternative hearses were the Land Rover Hearse, the Rainbow Hearse, the Austin Hearse, Rusty (Vauxhall Wyvern 1953) and Dolly (Mercedes 1970’s classic E320).
Clients have also requested an Only Fools and Horses themed hearse, a canal boat and a milk float.
The Co-op Group’s survey into death dying and bereavement conducted by You Gov earlier this year and involving 30,000 adults also revealed that just 6% of British people want their final farewell to be traditional.
