With the current breaking news of Michael Jackson’s Memorial Service and stadium funeral, it seems appropriate to remember those who have passed, and specifically, the ways in which people have honored them.
From circus funerals to DIY funeral printing and online funeral planning, this cluster of funeral innovations explores 20 different ways to honor life.
Implications - It used to be that funerals were considered morbid and depressing, and therefore they remained stagnant in innovation and uniqueness. However, as more people begin to view funerals as a way to celebrate life rather than mourn the loss of it, more offbeat, interesting and innovative funeral options abound. It is no surprise that consumers are embracing these new, happier types of funerals in order to make the pain of loss more bearable.
20 Funeral Innovations
From Michael Jackson's Memorial Service to DIY Funeral Planning:
Tisah Tucknott — Jul 8, 2009 — Life-Stages
18
Funeral Fashion Editorials
YSL Tribute by Vogue Italia
17
Stand-Up Funerals
Angel Pantoja Medina's Body "Stood" At His Funeral
16
Friendly Funerals
15
Environmentally Friendly Freeze Dried Funeral
Go Green When You Go
14
Funny Funerals
Lighthearted Looks at Death
13
Stadium Funerals
Last Goodbye to Michael Jackson at the Staples Center
12
Web Accessible Funerals
Funeral-Cast Webcasts Funeral Services
11
Hosting Your Own Funeral
Lululemon Founder Travels in Coffin
10
DIY Funeral Printing
Produce Memorial Materials With the ‘Funeralprinter' Templates
9
Freeze-Dried Funerals
Scotland Considers Promessa Organic's Burial Method (UPDATE)
8
Eco-Friendly Funerals
Green Cremation Saves Trees and Budgets in India
7
Circus Funerals
Clowns Attend Friend Boppo's Memorial Service in Costume
6
Fly Funerals to Sell Cars
MINI Clubman Ad Creates Buzz
5
Web Cams in Funeral Homes
Pay Per View Last Rites
4
Dead Bug Funeral Kits
Education, Gimick or Art?
3
Online Funeral Planning
'The San Diego Funeral Guide' Helps With Pre-Mortem Party Planning (UPDATE
2
Funeral Visualization
Monuta Helps You Imagine Your Funeral
1
Funeral Planning Online
Have Fun Planning Your Death
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Chipotle x Nike Air Force 1 Doernbecher Turns a Kid's Order into a Story
Halloween-Themed Flower Bouquets
Bouqs’ Spooky Collection Brings Halloween Charm to Floral Design
Mexican Heritage Bodycare
The Lush 2025 Día De Muertos Collection is Full of Gourmand Scents
Private Memory Archiving
Lifenote Helps You Preserve Personal Memories Without Social Media
Contemporary Fashion Retrospectives
The Balenciaga by Demna Exhibition Captures Attention
Whimsical Halloween Decor Ranges
Michael's Alice's Adventures Collection Will Arrive for Halloween
Furniture-Honoring Campaigns
IKEA Wherever Life Goes Campaign Honors Furniture as Everlasting
Temporary Public Art Installations
Cj Hendry Held Flower Market 2.0 at the Rockefeller Center
Family-Friendly Halloween Essentials
Oriental Trading Creative Decor Options
Experiential Convenience Stores
FamilyMart Announced IP-Centered Store Experiences in Japan
Whimsical Halloween Drinkware
Starbucks Unveils its 2025 Halloween Drinkware Collection
Giant Custom Inflatables
Creatable Inflatables Designs Eye-Catching Structures for Brand Exposure
Vibrant Mental Health Campaigns
CDC Has Launched the Playfully Illustrated Free Mind
Beloved Mascot-Powered Anniversary Events
The Goodyear Blimp Celebrates 100 Years
Faux Food Pop-Ups
MoMA Design Store Unveils an Immersive 'MoMA Mart' Pop-Up for NYC
Crime-Inspired Press-On Nails
The Aprés x Liquid Death Collab Shares Essentials for Killer Nails
Black Metal-Inspired Lip Balms
e.l.f. Cosmetics and Liquid Death Launched "Lip Embalms"
Playful Tech Accessory Events
CASETiFY Hosted an Event for Takashi Murakami’s FLOWERS Bloom
Creative Floral Tools
FloralBooth Lets Users Generate Flower Patterns and Custom Photo Effects
Multidisciplinary Art Shows
These Thoughts May Disappear Shows Jack White’s First Public Art Show
Fashion-Inspired Food Marketing
Magnum Blends Beauty, Music and Luxury Culture into Its Brand
Fragrance Launch House Parties
The Valentino Beauty House Party Featured Music, Cozy Rooms & More
Football-Themed Hiring Campaigns
The NFL Links Draft Culture to Inclusive Hiring Practices
Cross-Industry Insight Networks
The Think Party Explores the Future of Socialization
Emotive Song Campaigns
Sos Songs Uses Technology to Show How Music Reflects Your Emotional State
Tribute-Paying Luxury Fashion Campaigns
Mcqueen's Pre-Fall 2025 Campaign is Set in Coach & Horses
Preserved Flower Keepsakes
Wild Coast Flower Preservation Turns Wedding Bouquets into Premium Art
Ice Cream-Inspired Wedding Venues
The Museum of Ice Cream Opens Its Latest Location in Las Vegas
Mooncake Gift Packaging
Yanlun Wu's Mooncake Packaging Changes into a Traditional Paper Lantern
Self-Expression Festival Activations
Barbie Brings Customizable Persona-Building to Coachella
Experiential Wedding Registry Gifts
Tinggly and The Knot Share Experiential Wedding Registry Gifts
Honest Sustainability-Focused Installations
Temple (The Last Cheeseburger) is Thought-Provoking
Creative Store Retail Expansions
Michaels Debuts the Knit & Sew Shop and the Party Shop
Retrospective Halloween-Inspired Home Capsules
Michaels Unveils a Diverse Halloween Assortment
Supermarket-Inspired Nail Art Designs
Aldi Dropped a Festival-Inspired Nail Art Collection
Nostalgic Summer Snacks
Entenmann's Launches Childhood-Inspired Seasonal Treats
Symbolic Pop-Up Wellness Experiences
Hone Health Hosts Death of Midlife Pop-Up
Custom Painted Handbag Events
Bark Jacobs by Marc Jacobs Kicked Off with an Exclusive Soiree
Baseball-Inspired Manhole Covers
MLB Honors Japanese Stars with Custom-Designed Manhole Covers
Timeless Literary-Inspired Fragrances
Immortal Perfumes Features Unique Story-Inspired Scents
Cake-Centric Gatherings
Cake Picnic Turns a Shared Love of Cake into a Sweet Social Event
Pop-Up Sports Hospitality
Toronto’s FIFA Fan Festival Turns Urban Spaces into Immersive Fan Hubs
Creator Theme Parks
Makers Theme Park is a World-First for Hands-On Creativity
Interactive Tattoo Apps
InkStory Turns Tattoos Into Interactive Memories With Audio Integration
Interactive Luxury Brand Storytelling
Hermès Presents the Interactive Mystery at the Grooms
Anniversary-Celebrating Grill Campaigns
Monument Grills Marks Its Ninth Anniversary
Fedora Popcorn Buckets
Cinemark's Michael Black Hat Popcorn Bucket Reimagines a Stage Accessory
Bubble Wrap Billboards
Tombola's Interactive Billboards Engage Passersby with a Sensory Activity
Heartwarming Prom-Style Events
The Tim Tebow Foundation Organizes Night to Shine
Anniversary-Celebrating Dynamic Art Shows
The Sun Valley Museum of Art Announces a New Exhibit
Literary Tourism Innovations
Jane Austen Festival Launches Character Trail Through Bath Streets
Adaptive Mobility Accessories
Michael Graves Design Debuts Streamline Cane with Changeable Tips
Story-Driven Souvenirs
Memory Vault Stores Memories and Branded Content in a USB
Stranger Wedding Marketplaces
Invitin Lets Couples Sell Wedding Invitations to Vetted Strangers
Immersive Floral Tributes
ESPN Honors the 2025 NBA Finals with Mr. Flower Fantastic
Immersive DIY Events
DIY CON Brings Hands-On Workshops and Creator-Led Experiences
In-Store DIY Packaging Stations
Taco Bell UK is Uniquely Supporting Circular Fashion Sellers
DIY Bagel Bouquets
Einstein Bros. Bagels Created a Tutorial for Building an Edible "Bro-quet"
Giftable Candy Arrangements
Edible Launched New Candy Arrangements Featuring Fruit & Mars Candies
Product-Inspired Halloween Looks
Aldi and EllaDoesFX Created a Look Inspired by Professor Peppy
Immersive Climate Installations
Remembering the Future at MIT Museum Explores Environmental Paths
In-Store Framing Service Expansions
Michaels Boosts In-Store Framing & Same-Day Printing Services
Conceptual Fine Dining Experiences
Levi Lu Taps the Japanese Aesthetic Principle of Mono No Aware
Renewed Heritage Estates
The Kilmory House by Jillian Dinkel Updates an Estate for Modern Living
Dementia Research-Supporting Meal Kits
The Fresh Market & Carla Hall Support Alzheimer's Research
Iconic Musician-Honoring Exhibitions
Elvis Presley's Graceland Complex Debuts Two New Exhibits
Charcuterie-Inspired Ice Creams
The Franklin Fountain's Charcuterie Board Flight Has Novel Flavors
Afterlife Music Speakers
The Eternal Playlist Urn Blends a Bluetooth Speaker with Memorial Design
Soccer-Themed Entertainment Events
Sky Zone Turns Global Soccer Excitement into Active Play
Immersive Designer-Led Activations
Kohler House Party Reframes Renovation as Social & Inspiring
Experience-Driven Photo Booths
Future Flicks Introduced an AI Photo Booth Feature
Futuristic Museum Exhibitions
The Unnatural History Museum of Singapore Shows Mechanical Creatures
Survival-Style Fantasy Football Experiences
Yahoo Sports and Liquid Death Inject Dark Humor
Integrated Travel Wellness
Fairmont’s 'Wellness Without Walls' Brings Flexible Routines to Travel
Sports Advertising Moments
Genius Sports Found Emotional Sports Moments Can Double Ad Recall
Father-Honoring Appreciation Collections
Hallmark Unveiled Its Father's Day Collection
Pop Culture Wedding Collections
A Dynamic Duo Inspired The Engagement Era Collection by The Knot
Personalized Neuroaesthetic Experiences
113 Spring's Emergence Service Supports Creative Expansion
Interactive Solidified Remains Quizes
Parting Stone Celebrated April Fool's with a Playful Quiz
Immersive Music Festival Stores
BELLA+CANVAS Debuted Museum of Merchandise at Coachella
Memory Loss Ink-Fading Books
The 4,4,4&2 Book Uses Disappearing Ink to Reflect Dementia’s Mind
Personalized Gift Ideas
Perfect Gifts Provides Tailored Gift Ideas for Every Occasion
Mexican Holiday-Inspired Packaging
Chef Merito Marks the Día De Los Muertos with New Packaging
Halloween-Themed Qsr Menus
Burger King Reveals a Monster Menu with Vampire Nuggets and Mummy Fries
Memorial Display Urns
Transcendence Urn Incorporates Customizable Image Panels into Its Design
Healing Memorial Monument Parks
The ET-302 Memorial Park is a Space of Resilience
Collectible Iced Tea Cans
Liquid Death's Infinitely Recyclable Ozzy Includes Ozzy Osbourne's DNA
Story Preservation Tools
Remento Transforms Shared Memories Into A Keepsake Hardcover Storybook
Living Degradable Plastics
Researchers Develop Self-Destructing Plastics Without Microplastics
Pet-Inclusive Dining
BarkHaven Expands Food and Entertainment for Dogs and Owners
Digital Craft-Inspired Public Spaces
FUTUREFORMS Merges Architecture and Technology
Personal Nostalgic Photo Books
The Holy Ohio Photo Book Presents a Personal Return to Family Roots
Modular Communal Designs
Pours Cassius Castings & Limba Hosted a Pour Party to Co-Form Furniture
Birthday-Celebrating Sculpture Exhibitions
Richard MacDonald Marks His 80th with a Two-Day Event
Festival Exploration Platforms
Today's Festival Documents Global Cultural Celebrations
Healthy Aging Symposiums
Vivid-Pix Was Part of a Collaborative Symposium on Healthy Aging
Commemorative Music Coins
The Royal Mint Honours Freddie Mercury with a Special Edition Coin
Friend-Finding Virtual Hangouts
Strangely Matches Similar Personalities for Live Video Chats
Somber Commemorative Stamps
Canada Post Boasts a Visual Reminder for a Difficult Historic Chapter
Redesigning Restful Moments
The ANEW Project Turns Daily Objects into Mini Retreats
Themed Hotel Bars
Disney Cruise Line Launches Haunted Mansion Parlor at Sea
Hybrid Party Retailers
Staples and Party City combine event supplies with print services in-store
Speaker-Equipped Urns
The Spotify x Liquid Death Eternal Playlist Urn Has a Bluetooth Speaker
Delivered Wedding Experiences
Tiff’s Treats Launches a 'Wedding in a Box’ Package
Dressed-Up Bourbon Bottles
J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery Creates Customized Whiskey for Halloween
Customization-Forward Valentine's Day Gifts
Sugarwish Highlights Customizable Gift Preferences
Celebratory Innovation Coins
The United States Mint 2026 $1 Innovation Coins Come in Four Designs
Personalization-Focused Gift Services
Edible Arrangements Boasts a New App and Edible Rewards
Legacy Storytelling Tools
Fireside Helps Capture and Preserve Personal Stories for Generations
Reflective Memorial Architecture
Sanctum of Trees Reinterprets Tamil Temple Ritual in a Monolith
Healthcare Professional Appreciation PSAs
Annie Estrin Pays Homage to Healthcare Professionals
Plant-Inspired Modern Memorial Designs
Lemay Completed Place Des Montréalaises
Digital Floral Experiences
Ikebana Reflections Offers Meditative Flower Arrangement On Devices
Designated Event Autograph Pens
Sharpie® Was Spotlighted at the 2025 American Music Awards
Curved Concrete Chapels
Design Alliance Architects Creates Chapel of the Risen Christ Project
Anti-Screen Summer Social Events
Eventbrite Presents 'The Offline Summer' Initiative
Annual Reflection Journals
Birthday Vault Lets Users Write Yearly Messages To Their Future Self
Digital Memorial Platforms
Good Casper Creates Lasting Digital Memorials With QR Tributes
Garden-Inspired Jacquard-Woven Tapestries
Kiki of Kiki and Joost Created Memories of a Garden
Wedding Time Capsules
Relive Wedding Memories Over Time With PostToForever
Designer-Led Crafting Kits
Michaels Launches the All-New Jonathan Adler Collection
Group Video Gifting
Folksee Makes It Easy To Collect And Gift Personalized Video Reels
30-Hour Music Events
The Infinite Now Builds Sleep into the Experience with Beds and Hammocks
Playable Oak Sculptures
Funeral for a Tree is a Sound Sculpture by Steve Parker
Startup Failure Archives
404tomb Documents Defunct Startups And Their Digital Legacy
Trauma-Informed Healing Home Fundraisers
MoreYoga Joins Forces with Furnishing Futures
Immersive Nighttime Theme Parks
SeaWorld Combines Concerts, Drone Displays and Live Entertainment
Commemorative Famine Memorials
Lemay Partners with the Montreal Irish Monument Park Foundation
Transformative Survivor Tattoos
Mark of Life Incorporates Radiation Marks into Custom Body Art
Branded Accessibility-Focused Concerts
Sony's GAAD Concert Event Emphasizes Disability Inclusion
Product Discovery Maker Communities
JustGotFound Helps Independent Products Reach New Audiences
Biodegradable Burial Caskets
The Living Cocoon by Loop Biotech Offers a Fungus-Based Coffin
Digital Guestbook Platforms
Visitation Book Preserves Messages And Memories From Memorial Services
Artful Hosting Pieces
The Modern Entertaining Barware Collection is Crafted for Gatherings
Biodegradable Pet Urns
Paw Pods Sells Ethical Pet Memorial Products Rooted in Sustainability
Tribute Writing Assistants
Eulogy Generator Platform Creates Thoughtful Farewells Easily
Creative Protest Archives
Pocket Protests Showcases Global Creative Resistance Against Fascism
Digital Time Capsules
FromPast Lets Users Send Messages And Media To The Future
Outdoor Museum Additions
Henry Ford Adds New Historic Structure to Its Greenfield Village
Immersive Narrative Tourism
EF Ultimate Break Turns Ashridge House Into a Live Murder Mystery Game