A GRANDAD from Colchester was buried in his Christmas jumper with funeral directors dressing as elves and Santa Claus.

Walter Hatton, 87, had his funeral based around his favourite time of year - Christmas - with his family and friends dressed in Yuletide attire.

Funeral directors and arrangers wore Christmas-themed onesies including some dressed as reindeers to carry out the send off.

And for the wake, guests tucked into a Christmas dinner.

Co-op Funeralcare, which carried out the funeral, said the event was one of its most unique funerals.

Maldon and Burnham Standard:

Nadine Bowler, Walter’s granddaughter, said: “Having Grandad’s funeral themed around his favourite time of the year meant on the day it was more of a celebration of his life rather than a funeral because it showed his personality.”

Walter’s funeral, in July, was one of the most unique funerals of 2018 along with a McDonald’s themed send-off, fancy dress funeral, magician’s funeral and Only Fools and Horses themed funeral.

Co-op Funeralcare also revealed it is not just the ceremony people are personalising as Brits now want to arrive at their send-off in style.

Over the past three years, the national funeral provider has seen the number of requests for unique hearses increase including for a Rainbow hearse.

The Co-op’s biggest ever survey into death, dying and bereavement reveals 41 per cent would like their funeral to be a celebration of life, rather than a sad occasion.

A further 20 per cent want mourners to wear bright colours at their funeral.

David Collingwood, director of funerals at Co-op, said: “We all lead unique lives and our final goodbye should definitely reflect that.

Maldon and Burnham Standard:

“Personalised touches don’t need to be extravagant – it can be something as small as changing the funeral directing team’s ties.

“The trend really highlights the importance of planning ahead and having conversations with our friends and family about our wishes.

“Not only so that we take our final journey in the way we would’ve wanted, but also to alleviate some of the pain for our grieving families by removing those important decisions when the time comes.”