October 14, 2019 4.28 pm This story is over 53 months old

Strangest things people asked to be buried with in Lincolnshire

The top 20 items have come from homes across the UK
Stock image.

A false leg, a Wizard of Oz costume, a Chinese takeaway, and even an Argos catalogue, are among the 20 most unusual items placed inside a coffin in Lincolnshire, according to a new report.

The UK’s largest report into funeral trends from the Co-op reveals how these items, along with a pair of clown shoes, an autographed tennis ball and a scone, cream and jam, are some of the most unique items people have asked to be buried with.

The survey was carried out by the Co-operative Funeralcare. The report is based on insight from its funeral directors, from over 500,000 funerals conducted in the last five years, and the views of 4,000 British adults.

All funeral homes across Lincolnshire, including Kettle (Grimsby) and Bottesford Road (Scunthorpe) Co-op Funeralcare, have fed into the report. The 20 items have come from homes across the UK, not just in Lincolnshire.

Top 20 most unusual items placed inside a coffin

  • Chinese takeaway
  • A false leg
  • A mobile phone
  • Wizard of Oz costume
  • A violin
  • A pair of clown shoes
  • A set of skis
  • Argos catalogue
  • Guitar
  • Pork pie
  • A scone, cream and jam
  • Toffee crisp
  • Broomstick
  • An autographed tennis ball
  • Dustpan and brush
  • Playing cards
  • Fishing rod
  • Half a bar of chocolate
  • A wedding dress
  • A Russian doll

Items Brit would want beside them in their coffins

  • Half (49%) would choose photographs
  • A quarter (27%) want a teddy bear
  • A fifth (22%) want jewellery
  • Almost a fifth (17%) want letters
  • Over a tenth (13%) would want a book
  • A tenth (12%) would choose a bottle of their favourite tipple
  • A tenth (9%) want a mobile phone within their reach
  • A tenth (8%) would want their glasses
  • 6% would want a torch close by

According to the report, 85% of local funeral directors in Lincolnshire think families are now more open to unique funerals compared to five years ago.

The research also found that 46% of people have given their funeral not very much or no thought at all. A fifth (22%) of people have already made decisions about what they would want placed inside their coffin when their time does come.

Gary Fox, Funeral Director at Kettle Funeralcare, said: “Placing items inside coffins dates back centuries, but what we’re seeing now is a shift in more people choosing exactly which personal items they want to be buried with.

“Sometimes, those items are sentimental to the deceased such as love letters, photographs and wedding rings. Others choose eccentric items specifically to make people laugh such as a Chinese takeaway… it can be a real talking point and put a smile on the faces of loved ones left behind.”