# Deceased DNA Keepsakes Distinctive Life Helps People Remember a Loved One by Preserving DNA By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2015-05-06 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/remember-a-loved-one References: [wfaa](http://www.wfaa.com/story/news/local/dallas-county/2015/04/21/funeral-home-offers-way-to-preserve-loved-ones-dna/26146083/) & [distinctivelife](http://distinctivelife.com/) In addition to offering a variety of services for burials and cremations, Distinctive Life is a Texan funeral home that offers another unique way to remember a loved one. At the request of a family, the funeral home's DNA Memorial service provides a way to preserve an actual piece of a loved one. This is done by collecting a cheek swab and a hair sample, which are sent to a testing lab before being stored in tiny capsules for safe keeping. When Larissa Covato was told that her 89-year-old mother had only two weeks to live, she sought out a DNA Memorial. Knowing that her mother doted on her grandchildren, Covato viewed it as a medical investment in her children's future. As founder Jeff Friedman says: "It doesn't matter what we learn later on in life, we can always revert back to the DNA to tell us more as science picks up." ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.9/10 - Popularity: 28% | Activity: 52% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Science](https://www.trendhunter.com/science) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **DNA Preservation:** Opportunity for funeral homes to offer DNA preservation services as a unique way to remember loved ones. - **Medical Investments:** Growing demand for DNA preservation as a medical investment, providing future insights and discoveries. - **Personalized Memorials:** Increasing desire for personalized funeral services that go beyond traditional burials and cremations. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Funeral Services:** Funeral homes can capitalize on the trend of DNA preservation to offer unique memorial services. - **Genetic Testing:** Testing labs can expand their services to include DNA preservation and storage options. - **Healthcare:** As DNA preservation gains popularity, healthcare providers can explore ways to integrate DNA data into patient care and diagnostics. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Deep Sea Funerals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/deep-sea-funeral.md) - [At-Home Genetic Testing Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dnalabs.md) - [AI-Powered Virtual Memorials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/virtual-memorials.md) - [Digital Memorialization Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/remembermeai.md) - [Eco-Friendly Pet Tree Burial Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ecofriendly-pet-tree-burial-kit.md) - [Ancient DNA Tests](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/myheritage-ancient-origins.md) - [Personalized Keepsake Storybooks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/my-life-in-a-book.md) - [Keepsake Family Legacy Books](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kindred-tales.md) - [3D-Printed Ecological Funeral Reefs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/resting-reefs.md)