Funeral trends are changing in Bradford with more people doing it “My Way”.

The Frank Sinatra classic tops the most popular funeral song, along with Celine Dion’s Titanic film tune and guaranteed tear-jerker Time to Say Goodbye, a survey published today reveals.

Love songs and film and TV tunes are being requested more often around the Bradford district and the UK than religious hymns.

According to the report by The Co-operative Funercare, favourite pop songs, football and other themed send-offs have become the norm at one in three funerals across the country. Half are now held as celebratory events and one in ten no longer include religion.

Independent funeral directors in Bradford are finding the same trend.

Rose Kane, of Kane Family Funerals in Allerton, Bradford, said since the business started 18 months ago one fifth of all its funerals have been woodland.

“The eco theme is definitely coming through as more and more people are living greener lives,” she said.

“Bespoke coffins are big too, from brightly-coloured and theme-decorated cardboard ones to willow and wool ones.

“People seem to want more of a family tribute than traditional church service nowadays. I’m a celebrant so I have done some funerals in people’s own homes. They like to use their own words being used in the service or we can find those words for them.

“People don’t seem to have the same ties with churches they used to have.

“Children are coming to funerals more now and getting involved, whether it’s blowing bubbles at the end or releasing balloons afterwards. It’s becoming more of a family affair. Instead of separate floral tributes, we’ve also noticed people being asked to all bring an individual flower instead.”

A new dress code is replacing traditional black with people increasingly being asked to wear bright colours, said Andy Tough, of W Lever Ltd in Thornton Road. “It’s quite noticeable that people are coming in more cheerful colours or are dressing to reflect the deceased’s life or hobby - that includes what the deceased is dressed in too,” he said. “Bradford City shirts are popular.”

Philip Waters, of Joseph A Hey & Son Ltd in Great Horton Road, said: “Some of the old traditions are definitely on their way out. A lot of it depends on the deceased person’s age. The older they are, often the more traditional the service.”