When Anna’s dad, a die-hard record collector and champion footy barracker, passed away in Sydney last year, the last thing she wanted was a plain, somber funeral that didn’t do justice to his energy. She wondered: how could you possibly bottle decades of Dad’s stories, vinyl spins, and turf-side wins into a single ceremony? If you’ve ever stood in Anna’s shoes, staring at a blank funeral order of service, you’ll know the wait between sorrow and inspiration can be long. Yet, 2025’s new wave of Aussie funerals are rewriting the script: weaving favourite songs, hobbies, digital slideshows, and real passions into ceremonies that actually feel like a celebration of life—not just an ending. This guide dives headfirst into creative ways Australians are making memorials their own, with tips for curating music, showcasing personal interests, and using tools like Evaheld to tie it all together.
From Favourite Songs to a Life Soundtrack: Curating Meaningful Music
Music has become one of the most powerful ways Aussies are personalising funerals in 2025. Gone are the days of sticking to the same old hymns or classical pieces. Instead, families are curating unique soundtracks that reflect the true spirit of their loved ones—turning every memorial into a genuine celebration of life. As Dr. Rachel Turner, Musicologist, puts it:
Music at a memorial isn't just background—it's a window into who that person was.
Moving Beyond the ‘Usual Suspects’: Choosing Meaningful Songs
Today’s funeral playlist guide is all about capturing personality, milestones, and favourite moments. Rather than defaulting to traditional tracks, families are diving deep into playlists that tell a story. Was your loved one a die-hard footy fan? Their club anthem can set the mood for a life soundtrack funeral. Did they have a soft spot for 80s pop or jazz standards? Those tunes can spark smiles and memories among guests.
Milestone songs: First dance at their wedding, road trip anthems, or lullabies sung to grandkids.
Hidden gems: Lesser-known tracks that were their personal favourites, showing off their unique taste.
Guilty pleasures: Cheeky hits that always got them singing—these often become the most talked-about moments.
Real Stories: Footy Anthems, Jazz, and Family Favourites
Across Australia, families are sharing stories through music. At one recent service, the Richmond Tigers’ club song played as the coffin entered, uniting the crowd in a chorus of yellow and black. Another family chose a live jazz quartet to perform the departed’s favourite standards, transforming the chapel into a lively jazz club. Even a playlist of “dad’s daggy disco hits” has been known to get everyone reminiscing—and laughing—together.
Should You Go Live? Tips for Musical Tribute Ceremonies
Live performances are on the rise, with up to 40% of modern funerals now featuring a live segment (DignityMemorial.com). Whether it’s a family friend’s violin solo, a local band, or a grandchild’s acoustic tribute, live music brings raw emotion and connection. For those considering a live band funeral event or a DIY tribute performance, keep these tips in mind:
Choose performers who were meaningful to your loved one.
Keep the setlist short and heartfelt—quality over quantity.
Consider mixing live music with recorded tracks for variety.
Setting the Mood: Playlists, DJs, and Instrumental Remembrance
Setting the right mood is key. Some families opt for a funeral DJ playlist or a home music celebration, letting guests contribute song suggestions. Others prefer gentle instrumental remembrance—think acoustic guitar, piano, or even a didgeridoo for a uniquely Aussie touch. Digital sharing is a 2025 trend, with services like Evaheld personalised memorial allowing families to share playlists and musical memories online, so everyone can honour their loved one’s soundtrack, wherever they are.
Hobbies, Passions & Portraits: Designing a Funeral That Tells Their Story
In 2025, more Aussies are moving beyond traditional tributes and embracing hobby-themed funerals that truly reflect the person being honoured. According to recent data, over 30% of families now incorporate personal memorabilia displays and hobby display memorials into their services. These unique touches turn a farewell into a celebration of life, making every unique funeral ceremony feel authentic and deeply personal.
Displaying Memorabilia: Centrepieces With Heart
“Personal memorabilia display isn’t just comforting—it’s storytelling at its best.” – Kerrie Allen, Celebrant
From footy scarves draped over the casket to fishing rods, knitting needles, or even a beloved gaming chair, families are transforming everyday items into powerful centrepieces. These objects spark memories and conversations, helping guests connect with the person’s passions. For a hobby display memorial, consider:
Arranging a table with model trains, car magazines, or gardening gloves
Showcasing a surfboard, cricket bat, or cycling helmet
Displaying art supplies, finished paintings, or a musician’s favourite guitar
Tables, Gallery Walls & Memory Boards: Décor That Tells a Story
Interactive memory tables and gallery walls are growing in popularity. At recent services, families have created photo collages, pinned up handwritten recipes, or set up a ‘memory board’ where guests can add their own notes and mementos. These meaningful décor funeral ideas encourage everyone to share in the storytelling, making the service feel like a collective tribute.
Out-of-the-Box Displays: Creative Coffin Design & Hobby ‘Hack’ Zones
Some families are taking things further with creative coffin design—think hand-painted caskets, decoupage with favourite comics, or even a coffin shaped like a guitar or race car. ‘Hobby hack’ zones, where guests can try a quick craft, sign a football, or play a favourite board game, add an interactive element to the custom theme ceremony and make memories in real time.
Eco-Friendly & DIY Options for Hobby Displays
Eco-conscious families are opting for eco-friendly décor—like upcycled display boards, biodegradable decorations, or potted plants that guests can take home. DIY displays, often created with family collaboration memorial efforts, not only save money but also add a heartfelt, handmade touch to the day.
Quick Tips for a Personalised, Artistic Funeral
Ask friends and family to contribute items for the personal memorabilia display
Use digital slideshows to combine photos, music, and stories
Choose a special interest funeral idea—from sports to crafts to gaming
Encourage guests to dress in colours or jerseys that reflect the person’s passions
Whether you’re planning a hobby celebration or seeking artistic funeral ideas, these creative approaches ensure every tribute is as unique as the life it honours.
Modern Tributes Go Digital: Slideshows, Memorial Pages & Evaheld’s Tools
In 2025, Aussies are embracing digital memorials to create truly modern personalised tributes that last far beyond the funeral service. With the rise of photo + music memorials and interactive digital memorial pages, families are finding new ways to celebrate a loved one’s life story—together, no matter where they are.
Why Digital Memorials Are Here to Stay
Unlike traditional services, online tribute pages offer a space for memories to grow over time. Families and friends can visit, share, and reflect whenever they need, making the tribute a living legacy. In fact, life tribute videos—which blend cherished photos, favourite songs, and personal stories—are now used in 52% of funeral ceremonies across Australia (SouthwestMOCremation.com). These digital memorials aren’t just a trend; they’re a heartfelt way to keep memories alive.
Building Moving Memory Slideshow Music
One of the most powerful ways to personalise a digital tribute is through memory slideshow music. The key is to sync emotional tracks with milestone photos—think childhood snaps set to playful tunes, or wedding moments paired with a couple’s favourite song. This approach transforms a simple slideshow into a memory video soundtrack that truly captures the essence of a life lived.
Start by choosing 5-10 key photos from each life stage.
Match each group with a song that reflects the mood—upbeat for celebrations, gentle for reflective moments.
Keep transitions smooth and let the music guide the story.
“A memory video soundtrack can capture a lifetime in just a handful of songs and images—it’s a legacy you can revisit.” – Benji Li, Funeral Tech Specialist
Family Collaboration Online: Evaheld’s Digital Memorial Features
With platforms like Evaheld, families can collaborate online to build a truly unique tribute. Their suite of tools includes:
Slideshows that combine photos and music for a moving visual journey.
Digital playlist sharing so everyone can add meaningful tracks to the memorial soundtrack.
Guestbooks for sharing stories, memories, and messages of support.
Easy collection of photos, videos, and anecdotes from friends and family worldwide.
This collaborative approach ensures that every voice is heard, and every memory is honoured—no matter where loved ones are located.
The Art of the Memory Video Soundtrack
Curating a creative remembrance soundtrack means more than picking a few favourite songs. It’s about matching music to the key moments of a person’s journey—from childhood adventures to golden-year reflections. The result is a modern personalised tribute that feels authentic and deeply moving. With Evaheld personalised memorial tools, families can easily craft these soundtracks and share them as part of a lasting digital memorial page.
Performances, Poetry, and DIY: Bringing in Creative and Live Elements
In 2025, Australians are redefining the funeral experience with artistic funeral ideas that go far beyond the ordinary. Live performances, poetry readings, and hands-on creative activities are now at the heart of many modern personalised tributes, making each farewell as unique as the life it celebrates. According to Falk Funeral Homes, at least 18% of memorials now feature a live or DIY tribute performance—a trend that’s only growing as families seek more meaningful, authentic ways to say goodbye.
Case Study: Real Moments, Real Memories
Take the story of the O’Connor family in Brisbane. Instead of a formal musical tribute ceremony, the grandkids picked up their ukuleles and played Nan’s favourite song, filling the chapel with gentle strumming and laughter. Later, her lifelong mate Mick stood up and recited an original poem, sharing memories only he could tell. Nothing staged—just real, heartfelt moments. As Helen Prior, Community Arts Coordinator, puts it:
A simple performance by someone who loved them is worth more than a dozen professionals.
How to Arrange a DIY Tribute Performance
Planning a DIY tribute performance is easier than you might think. Here are a few tips to help families and friends create a memorable live music remembrance or storytelling funeral service:
Keep it simple: Choose a favourite song, poem, or story that meant something to your loved one.
Invite participation: Encourage mates, grandkids, or even pets to join in—group singalongs or shared readings are powerful.
Practice, but don’t over-rehearse: Authenticity matters more than perfection.
Support shy performers: Offer backup, or let them record their tribute in advance for playback.
Incorporating Visual Arts and Pop-Up Creativity
Visual art memorials are trending in 2025, with families turning to artistic funeral ideas like gallery-style displays of painted canvases, hobby memorabilia, or even live sketching during the service. Some memorials feature artistic pop-ups—temporary studios where guests can contribute to a community art board or create their own keepsake. These hands-on elements offer a gentle, creative way for everyone to participate in remembrance.
Poetry in Remembrance and Custom Readings
Poetry in remembrance corners are popping up at more funerals, inviting guests to read a favourite verse or pen a message for the family. Whether it’s a custom readings funeral or a spontaneous poem from a mate, these moments add depth and warmth to the service. For those wanting a truly unique funeral ceremony, consider a live band funeral event or a musical tribute ceremony tailored to your loved one’s life soundtrack.
From DIY tribute performances to visual art memorials and poetry corners, today’s funerals are embracing creativity, connection, and realness—ensuring every goodbye is as special as the person being honoured.
Blending the Old and New: Unique Memorial Concepts for Every Generation
In 2025, Australian families are redefining what it means to say goodbye, blending cherished traditions with bold, modern touches. The result? A unique funeral ceremony that truly reflects the life, passions, and values of the person being honoured. Nowhere is this more evident than in the creative ways Aussies are using music, hobbies, and personal stories to craft modern personalised tributes that resonate across generations.
Eco music tributes are leading the charge, with nearly 22% of funerals now integrating sustainable musical elements, according to MemorialFuneral.com. Families are choosing biodegradable instruments, like bamboo flutes or recycled-paper drums, and decorating spaces with native wildflowers and upcycled décor. Even the soundtracks are going green—think gentle rain recordings or acoustic sets powered by solar energy. These choices aren’t just about reducing environmental impact; they’re about making meaningful song choices that echo the values of the person being remembered.
Honouring cultural roots is another powerful trend. A cultural music funeral might feature first-generation songs, traditional dances, or regional musical styles that connect the present with the past. As multicultural funeral director Samir Desai puts it,
“A musical tribute isn’t about the perfect note, but the resonance with the soul of those gathered.”
Whether it’s a didgeridoo performance, a Greek bouzouki, or a playlist of Bollywood favourites, these tributes celebrate heritage and identity, ensuring every generation feels included and seen.
Hybrid music services are bridging distances and traditions. By combining live bands or singers with streamed playlists, families can invite overseas relatives to join in real time, or share a digital playlist for those who can’t attend. This approach not only widens participation but also allows for a family collaboration memorial—where everyone can contribute a song, a reading, or a memory, no matter where they are in the world. It’s a beautiful way to merge old-school customs with new technology, creating a truly unique funeral ceremony.
Some of the most memorable moments come from blending personal quirks with tradition. Take the Melbourne family who, wanting to honour their Nonna, stitched her treasured recipes into song lyrics for a musical tribute. The result was a quirky, unforgettable performance that had everyone laughing and crying—proof that a modern personalised tribute can be as heartfelt as it is creative.
Ultimately, today’s funerals are about more than just saying goodbye—they’re about celebrating a life in all its richness. Whether through eco music tributes, cultural music funeral elements, or hybrid music service innovations, Aussies are finding new ways to honour their loved ones. By weaving together meaningful song choices, custom readings funeral moments, and family collaboration memorials, every generation can find comfort and connection. In 2025, the most unique funeral ceremony is the one that feels true—blending the old and the new, and creating memories that last long after the final note fades.
