People in the West Midlands reach to the stars for final resting place (From Dudley News)

People in the West Midlands reach to the stars for final resting place

9:23am Thursday 21st August 2008

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Traditions in the UK are constantly changing and none more so than our funeral plans!

Research from Post Office® Over 50s Life Insurance has revealed that less than half of adults in the West Midlands (42 per cent) would opt for a traditional funeral rather preferring a more modern send off.

The research commissioned by Post Office® Over 50s Insurance showed that people in the West Midlands more likely than anywhere else in the UK to opt for a resting place which is literally out of this world – 16 per cent of people said they would like their ashes sent into space. While the same number said they would like to go out with a bang by having their ashes made into a firework. Though it’s a case of extremes as people in the West Midlands are also the most likely to opt for a burial at sea with one in ten people (9 per cent) stating they would like to choose a watery grave.

When it comes to the funeral service, many people across the West Midlands want their funeral to be a celebration, with 40 per cent saying they would want no one to dress in black.

Despite the fact that the cost of a funeral is generally well over £2,000 the research showed that nearly half (47 per cent) of people thought it would cost less than £2,000. But, only 21 per cent of people in the West Midlands would have £2000 or more set aside to cover the cost of a loved one’s funeral if they died tomorrow.

Post Office® life insurance manager Duncan Caesar-Gordon said: "The options for a creative ‘send off’ are growing all the time But whatever the choice of final resting place the cost of a funeral can run in to several thousand pounds.

“Taking out the Over 50s life insurance cover means you will receive a guaranteed cash sum so at least family and friends will have money to put towards a traditional funeral or a special send off you may have in mind.”

To help cover the cost of your funeral the Post Office® can provide Over 50s Life Cover from just £7 per month. To apply, customers simply need to visit any Post Office® branch, call 0800 096 5597 or visit www.postoffice.co.uk.

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