What do people ask to be buried in?

Imelda May has revealed her father asked to be dressed up in a clown costume for his open coffin - a tribute to his desire for “joy and laughter” at his funeral.

Speaking to Moncrieff, funeral home manager Mary Cuniffe said odd requests are not unusual and she heard of one gentleman who had asked to be buried with nothing on.

“This man was a real character and he asked to be laid out naked,” she said.

“They observed his wishes [insofar as his open coffin] came right up to his chest.”

People usually have “specific requests” about what they want their loved ones to be buried in and one family requested their mother wear her “very expensive” fur coat which she really loved.

Dressing gowns are also very common as they are “nice and comfy” and sporting gear is “very common” with young Dads and men.

Final wishes for their final journey

If the person is older, they will often have written out “definite instructions” for their burial.

“They say, ‘I’d love to wear the suit I had for your one’s wedding’ or ‘I want to be buried in my tuxedo’ or ‘I want to wear my wedding dress’ - which has happened,” she said.

“It’s important to people and it’s important to families that their loved one is going on their final journey properly dressed in something they’re comfortable in or like to wear.

“It brings them great comfort knowing that they’re going on their final journey in their favourite outfit.”

Whatever the family’s preference, Ms Cuniffe said it is best to make a decision as a family so everyone feels satisfied and included.

“It’s very important as a family to discuss that at the time of making the arrangements,” she said.

“I had a family in the other day and they’d brought the Dad a lovely new hat for Christmas and they had it specially made for him actually - a peak cap like in Peaky Blinder. 

“They wondered, ‘Could Dad wear his cap?’ Of course, Dad could wear his cap, why wouldn’t he wear his cap?

“They were delighted to know Dad was going on his final journey with his new cap.”

According to research by Peopl Insurance, the average cost of a funeral is €6,000.

You can listen back here:

Main image: A coffin.