Media Coverage
Press releases, Feb 01, 2010
In charge of your own funeral?
- New Life Testimony called ”Never ending story”, new coffins called ”Angelboxes” and new burial urns called ”Angeldust” bring light to the darkness
A contemporary trend is that of individualised funeral ceremonies in which the proceedings have a more personal stamp so as to reflect the personality of the deceased. This trend of Individualism goes hand in hand with the development of society as we know it and it is logical that the trend be mirrored in the funeral trade.
The Fluffbabes lifestyle company has come up with a new alternative to existing Testimonies of Life. If you think the Final Farewell deserves a more “positive” and personal framework, then this is a worthwhile option for you; the document will tell your relatives exactly what your wishes are. It is a project that goes by the name of Never ending story and is contained in a document available at www.neverendingstory.nu. Here you will also find an alternatively designed coffin with a new name – Angelbox - which went into production at the Rydéns coffin factory in Sweden at the end of 2009. Another feature of the project is a burial urn by the name of Angeldust.
The attitude of the Church continues to play a major role even though everyone has the right to choose other alternatives if they prefer to do so. In the case of wedding ceremonies there is an increasing acceptance of “different” proceedings, more so than in the case of funerals, in which traditional thinking still prevails. However, traditional attitudes within the Swedish church are being challenged by new cultures and changing attitudes.
What is Never ending story?
Never ending story is a new alternative for those who feel that funerals deserve a more light-hearted, more personal framework. A central idea is that individuals should think long and hard about their own funeral while they are still in a position to do so – and then write them down in the document provided. An example might be that the ceremony be conceived as a final party (it might even be seen as the “first”, given that the deceased is taking the first step in an unknown direction.) Bereaved relatives tell a wide range of stories about their experiences; there are the unfortunate examples such as their not being able to hear the music they want, not being able to secure the locality of their choice, or there not being enough time at the proceedings. There are also the positive examples; a ceremony being held on a cliff overlooking the sea, for example, or in the garden of the deceased – even at a nightclub. This is very much in the spirit of ”Never ending story” – to provide options, and propose new alternatives.
What is an Angelbox?
An Angelbox is something quite new. It is indeed a coffin, but one with character and personality. With wings instead of handles and a pair of wings on the lid. There is a colour option: silver or gold. The Rydéns coffin factory has, in partnership with Fluffbabes, begun to manufacture these new coffins which are available at all affiliated funeral parlours of the Swedish Funeral Directors Association (SBF).
What is Angeldust?
We are proud to present Angeldust – an elegant urn complete with angel embellishment. Angeldust is made of clay and comes in a variety of three colours: cherry, black and white. Embellishments are hand-painted. The urn is bio-degradable and manufactured at Rydéns.
We are proud to present Angeldust – an elegant urn complete with angel embellishment. Angeldust is made of clay and comes in a variety of three colours: cherry, black and white. Embellishments are hand-painted. The urn is bio-degradable and manufactured at Rydéns.
Swedish Funeral Directors Association (SBF)
The 400 member parlours of the SBF manage over half of the funerals in Sweden today. There is a strong desire within the SBF to meet the personal wishes and viewpoints of their clients and to improve customer services in general. The association is keen that the customer realises that he or she has more influence on the funeral process than is generally known. The SBF feel that there are far too many instances when bereaved family members have said, after the event: “If only we had known …” The SBF have thus launched out on their cooperation with the Fluffbabes lifestyle-company in order to reach out to those who have individualised wishes, and to showcase the alternatives available. Never Ending Story, Angelbox and Angeldust are all retailed by the member companies of the association. Change is unavoidable and desirable, and the SBF is keen to take part in the development process in a positive spirit and work towards lasting relationships in the future.
For more information, contact:
Charlotta Lindgren Östlund, The Swedish Funeral Directors Association,
charlotta.lindgren@memento.se,
Phone: 08-556 811 83, 070-608 81 83
www.begravningar.se
Morgan Löfgren, Rydéns,
morgan@rydens.se,
Phone: 0481-487 70, 070-595 58 93
www.rydens.se
Åsa Scharin, Fluffbabes,
asa@fluffbabes.com,
Phone: 0709-220 211
www.neverendingstory.nu
Annika Legàth Fagerström, Fluffbabes,
annika@fluffbabes.com,
Phone: 0733-68 06 46
For high-resolution photographs, visit:
www.neverendingstory.nu/en/pressphotos
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