It seems everyone wants a slice of the lucrative wedding industry — even those in the death business.
Funeral homes are increasingly opening their doors to bridal parties in hope of reviving ailing profits.
Associated Press recently spoke to a funeral home in the United States, which has added weddings, proms and even ‘breakfasts with Santa’ to its function list, which typically includes funerals.
The Community Life Center (CLC) in Indianapolis offers a range of events within a three story stone tower that houses its 40,000-crystal chandelier.
However, these beautiful premises sit alongside 73,000 dead bodies and burial plots and also go by the name Washington Park East Cemetery Association.
According to AP, a trend towards inexpensive funerals and cremations is nudging out the need for traditional funeral services and burials.
Read more: Horrifying ghost baby photobombs couple at wedding.
“People aren’t as religious as they once were… and their attitudes toward death are changing,” Vice President of the National Funeral Directors Association told AP.
“Funeral homes were seen for one reason: to have a funeral. Now they’re being used for all kinds of things.”
A survey conducted by the National Funeral Directors Association found that using funeral homes for other purposes rose by four per cent in only three years (2011-2014).
Read more: This bridezilla’s list of wedding instructions is terrifying.
You can’t blame them, either. TIME reports that while the average funeral in the US costs up to US$10,000 (AU$13, 588), the average wedding totals US$30,000 (AU$40,765). Who wouldn’t want a slice of that pie?
The CLC is also more than US$5,000 (nearly AU$7,000) cheaper than its neighbours, suggesting if the price is right — no one will really care if the wedding is in a funeral home.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise then, that the centre is booked out nearly every weekend for the Summer, and is now taking reservations for 2016.
Bride Danessa Molinder, 26, told AP she and her partner chose the CLC because it was a beautiful building.
Ms Molinder isn’t alone in her choice, either.
Read more: How much does the average wedding cost?
On Facebook, the centre has received rave reviews.
“Gorgeous wedding venue! Couldn’t have asked for a more perfect place to marry my best friend. The staff is amazing and our wedding couldn’t have been more memorable. Thank you for making our dreams come true!” One couple wrote.
Another said it was ” absolutely great considering the venue and cost!”
So, perhaps this funeral/wedding business is something to think about.
Celebrity weddings.
Would you have your wedding in a funeral home?
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The best pre-wedding celebration you’ve never heard of.
Top Comments
Our local crematorium wanted to increase their community interaction a few years ago. Unfortunately, they chose to hold a community sausage sizzle in their gardens. There weren't a huge number of attendees.
What a terrible idea. I can tell you now, I would never have or attend a wedding in a funeral/crematorium place - yuk.
I even felt it was creepy to have a wedding in a church 25 years ago, what if there was a funeral before or after our wedding? I first made the connection when watching the beginning of the "Rocky Horror Show".
We chose to get married by a minster in the garden under a jacaranda tree of the country club where we were having our reception. It was really practical too, my fiance played a few holes before the wedding ceremony and the guests could just park once and stay, we also didn't inconvenience everyone by disappearing with the photographer for hours leaving the guests in limbo for hours, we had the photos taken in the lovely garden.
Personally the undertakers will have to just think outside the box - pet funerals, Halloween Parties, divorce parties anyone?